This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/middle_east/6637507.stm

The article has changed 9 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 1 Version 2
BBC checks 'Alan Johnston tape' BBC checks 'Alan Johnston tape'
(about 6 hours later)
The al-Jazeera news channel has received a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of the BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.The al-Jazeera news channel has received a tape purportedly from the kidnappers of the BBC's Gaza correspondent Alan Johnston.
It includes certain demands and shows pictures, including one apparently of Mr Johnston's BBC identity card.It includes certain demands and shows pictures, including one apparently of Mr Johnston's BBC identity card.
It was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish-e-al-Islam (The Army of Islam).It was delivered to al-Jazeera in Gaza and was made by a group calling itself Jaish-e-al-Islam (The Army of Islam).
The BBC said it was investigating the contents of the tape, but would not be commenting further at this stage. The BBC said it was investigating the contents of the tape. Mr Johnston, 44, was seized in Gaza City on 12 March.
The 44-year-old journalist has been missing for more than eight weeks, after being seized at gunpoint on his way home in Gaza City on 12 March. He had been on his way home when he was taken at gunpoint.
'Decent man''Decent man'
Until now, the kidnappers have not made their demands public or made any contact with the media.Until now, the kidnappers have not made their demands public or made any contact with the media.
In April, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston, though that claim could not be verified.In April, the previously unheard of Tawhid and Jihad brigades claimed it had executed Mr Johnston, though that claim could not be verified.
The Palestinian government says it has received information that Mr Johnston is alive, and is working for his release.The Palestinian government says it has received information that Mr Johnston is alive, and is working for his release.
The BBC's World Affairs correspondent Mike Wooldridge says that not much is known about The Army of Islam, but that it is a known Palestinian group.
News of the tape emerged hours after a senior UK diplomat held talks with Palestinian Prime Minister Ismail Haniya as part of the effort to secure Mr Johnston's release.
Consul-General Richard Makepeace, who is based in Jerusalem, said Mr Johnston's continued captivity remained of "great concern" to the UK.
There have been high-level appeals for his freedom, including from the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.There have been high-level appeals for his freedom, including from the British Prime Minister Tony Blair and United Nations Secretary General Ban Ki-moon.
On Monday, United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour called on the captors to release "this very decent man".On Monday, United Nations Commissioner for Human Rights Louise Arbour called on the captors to release "this very decent man".
Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.Mr Johnston joined the BBC World Service in 1991 and has spent eight of the last 16 years as a correspondent, including periods in Uzbekistan and Afghanistan.
He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.He has lived and worked in Gaza for three years and was the only Western reporter permanently based in the often violent and lawless territory.