Alan Johnston freed
July 3, 2007 9:57 PM   Subscribe

Goodnewsfilter: BBC journalist Alan Johnston has been freed. He was kidnapped in March. He credits his release to the election of Hamas: ""The kidnappers seemed very comfortable and very secure in their operation until... a few weeks ago, when Hamas took charge of the security operation here."
posted by stammer (29 comments total) 1 user marked this as a favorite
 
The release comes after Hamas staked out the neighborhood of the Dogmush family, who are believed to be behind many kidnappings in the area. This is a big PR coup for Hamas: "Since Hamas has taken control of Gaza, its leaders have repeated their intention to free Mr Johnston, to demonstrate that they can provide better security in Gaza than the forces of the Palestinian Authority and Fatah which they routed in street battles two weeks ago."
posted by stammer at 10:03 PM on July 3, 2007


When I first read that I thought he had been fired, and I thought that was a bit harsh, even for the beeb.
posted by Samuel Farrow at 10:11 PM on July 3, 2007


Well, he probably has used up all his sick days over the last four months.
posted by stammer at 10:15 PM on July 3, 2007


Fantastic news.
posted by greycap at 11:18 PM on July 3, 2007


This is a big PR coup for Hamas

I wonder if the U.S. will bite.
posted by sswiller at 11:27 PM on July 3, 2007


did he get a T-shirt?
posted by Henry C. Mabuse at 12:17 AM on July 4, 2007


There goes his shot at having Brad Pitt playing him in the movie.
posted by srboisvert at 12:29 AM on July 4, 2007


Kill a bunch of people, then throw a bone to the West. Hamas is sure learning what PR is all about.
posted by Krrrlson at 12:33 AM on July 4, 2007


It's about time!

That's great news, actually.
posted by chuckdarwin at 1:19 AM on July 4, 2007


Actually this had me blubbering into my cuppa. Wonderful news. I accept Krrrlson's take too though, good PR based on plenty of sanguinary lubricant beforehand. But that doesn't take from the human joy some of us ae feeling, if it did.......
posted by Wilder at 1:54 AM on July 4, 2007




[that's the opposite of a '.']
posted by randomination at 1:56 AM on July 4, 2007


:) - interesting PR from Hamas, but you have to feel the joy at his release.
posted by burr1545 at 1:58 AM on July 4, 2007


Great news.

I went to get a glass of water at about three this morning, and when I flicked the radio on, a World Service reporter was talking about his career in the past tense, so for about five minutes I was rooted to the spot, absolutely gutted that he was dead. Once my brain woke up properly, I let out a little whoop of happiness. Weird the attachments one can form to people talking on the radio.
posted by jack_mo at 2:03 AM on July 4, 2007


Brilliant news!

Kill a bunch of people, then throw a bone to the West. Hamas is sure learning what PR is all about.

Hamas doesn't want rogue armed groups undermining its control of the territory it controls, any more than any other political authority would.
posted by game warden to the events rhino at 2:45 AM on July 4, 2007


If I recall, Hamas arrested the kidnappers and puressured them and they finally gave up the reporter.
posted by Postroad at 2:52 AM on July 4, 2007


MSNBC reports on how it was done:

Hamas gunmen on Tuesday took up positions around the stronghold of the shadowy group holding Johnston, stepping up the pressure to secure his release.

Members of Hamas’ 6,000-strong militia moved onto high-rise rooftops and deployed gunmen in streets in the Gaza City neighborhood of the Doghmush clan.

Allahpundit gets it exactly right:

Take a lesson from people who would know — this is how you deal with jihadist threats
posted by Postroad at 2:57 AM on July 4, 2007


Great news. I think the Brits should send Tony Blair over there to give the Dogmush family a stern talking to. Oh, wait...
posted by MarshallPoe at 4:18 AM on July 4, 2007


:D I can't have been alone in thinking he wouldn't come out of this alive. Hamas ftw! Boy, that sounds weird.
posted by saturnine at 4:33 AM on July 4, 2007


Hamas nailed them
posted by Flashman at 5:03 AM on July 4, 2007


This is excellent news. I had given up on all hope that Johnston was still alive. Good to have my pessimism proved wrong. I hope that this will lead to Hamas being brought into the peace process, like the IRA was.
posted by Kattullus at 5:14 AM on July 4, 2007


That's great news. I wonder how the positive press for Hamas will play out in the West. Maybe they'll be ignored less. This article in Harpers about Hamas and Islamic democracy I posted a while back. is probably worth checking out again, if you are interested in this sort of thing.
posted by chunking express at 6:13 AM on July 4, 2007


Absolutely brilliant news, weird as it is seeing everybody being all cuddly and fluffy towards Hamas. But then, militia groups have always been good at street-level law and order - that's one of the major ways they gain popular support, or at least acceptance.


Me and a BBC friend of mine were idly speculating last night that the timing of the release might have been deliberately sped up so that Blair didn't have time to start his new job and take any credit for it...
posted by flashboy at 6:28 AM on July 4, 2007


!

Lovely news. I'm sure his family must be dancing in the streets about now. It's nice to see something (relatively) good coming out of the region, for once.

By which I mean something that actually makes it to major Western news outlets. I have no doubts that good things happen in the Middle East all the time.
posted by dirtynumbangelboy at 7:03 AM on July 4, 2007


great : >
posted by amberglow at 8:27 AM on July 4, 2007


:)
posted by cardamine at 8:40 AM on July 4, 2007


█ indeed, Random.

Happy day!
posted by Busithoth at 2:54 PM on July 4, 2007


Checkbook terrorism
posted by Fupped Duck at 4:13 PM on July 4, 2007


I thought for sure he was a gonner. I wonder if he did?

I know this is an odd thought but... the remainder of Alan Johnston's time on this rock will be gravy. He misses a plane, gets fired from a job, or loses his wallet... all the shit we spaz over... will be curious happy diversions to his epilogue. I envy him.

Welcome home you lucky bastard.
posted by tkchrist at 6:47 PM on July 4, 2007


Three cheers!

Actually, it's gotta be more than three for something as great as this. My BBC friends tell me Johnston is the loveliest guy one could ever hope to meet. Here's to his health and long life.
posted by Pallas Athena at 9:58 PM on July 4, 2007


« Older weeps   |   Jaw Droppingly Beautiful Underground Japanese... Newer »


This thread has been archived and is closed to new comments