Palestinian security sources on Sunday discredited claims by a previously unknown group of Palestinian militants that said it had executed kidnapped BBC reporter Alan Johnston. The Palestinian Authority forces believe that Johnston, kidnapped on March 12, is being held inside the Gaza Strip, apparently by one of the larger clans there. They believe the claims by the so-called Tawhid and Jihad Brigade are an attempt to put pressure on the PA. The group sent a declaration by email to several Palestinian journalists headlined "Announcement of the execution of British journalist Alan Johnston," which stated that the group had approached a number of elements seeking the release of Palestinian prisoners - however, "the world was only concerned with Johnston." The group also said it had been unpleasantly surprised by the position taken by the PA, which attributed the kidnapping to other reasons. The group said it would soon distribute a video of Johnston's execution.
The Tawhid and Jihad Brigade said the Palestinian government and presidency, and the British government are responsible for the execution. The BBC stated that the network had heard about the email, but that there has been no independent verification of it. However, the network stated it is deeply concerned by the reports.
The British reporter was kidnapped by four masked men, apparently from his Gaza apartment. He reportedly managed to throw down his business card when he realized he was being kidnapped. The card was found by Palestinian security forces after the kidnapping. His car was found abandoned nearby.