DAR AL HARB - ISRAEL/HOLY LAND: ALAN JOHNSTON FOR SHEIK ABU QATADA

Claim: Radical al-Qaida sheik to be freed for BBC reporter
Extremist cleric's release from UK prison to come 6 months after hostage's release
by Aaron Klein

JAFFA, Israel – In exchange for the release of BBC reporter Alan Johnston, Britain told the Hamas terror group through mediators it would free from jail an extremist sheik accused of serving as al-Qaida's spiritual adviser in Europe, Palestinian sources involved in the negotiations claimed to WND.

The sheik, Abu Qatada, is accused among other things of advising 9/11 terrorist Zacarias Moussaoui and attempted shoe-bomber Richard Reid. Qatada's sermons were found among the possessions of 9/11 operational leader Mohamed Atta.

The Palestinian sources involved in the Johnston negotiations claimed the British government pledged through a third-party mediator to release Abu Qatada after six months so the release wouldn't appear connected to Johnston's freedom.

Qatada has been detained in Britain as a terror suspect but was not tried or sentenced.

Johnston's kidnappers, the Gaza-based Army of Islam, demanded in videos and faxes sent to news agencies the freedom of Abu Qatada in exchange for Johnston's release. Speaking from jail, Abu Qatada himself offered to help mediate the prisoner exchange.

Hamas sources and Israeli diplomatic sources familiar with the talks confirmed to WND there were third-party discussions the past three weeks between Hamas, a mediator and the British government for the release of Johnston. A second track of negotiations were opened between Hamas and the Army of Islam kidnappers, the sources said. Also, the BBC was in direct contact with Hamas, said the sources.

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Pertinent Links:

1) Claim: Radical al-Qaida sheik to be freed for BBC reporter