Free hate cleric or hostage dies
metro.co.uk
Wanted:Jailed Abu Qatada
Islamic militants have threatened to kill a British hostage unless Gordon Brown releases a suspected terrorist from prison.
The African group said in an online statement that it will execute the tourist, snatched earlier this year, if Abu Qatada is not freed within three weeks.
"We demand that Britain release Sheikh Abu Qatada, who is unjustly (held), for the release of its British citizen. We give it 20 days as of the issuance of this statement.
'When this period expires the mujahideen will kill the hostage," the message read.
Radical preacher Abu Qatada, said to be in charge of al-Qaeda's European arm, was jailed in 2002 accused of having links with militant groups but was released in 2005.
The 48-year-old was re-arrested and is pending deportation to Jordan where he faces life in prison.
It is believed the Briton was kidnapped by gunmen in Mali near the border with Niger on January 22.
Four other hostages were released earlier this month by Al-Qaeda In The Islamic Maghreb but a Swiss national is still being held.
The Foreign Office said it was working with the Mali government for the release of a British hostage but it would not confirm if it was linked to the online statement.
'We call on all those holding hostages to release them immediately and unconditionally,' a spokes- man said.
Speaking from Beirut, exiled cleric Omar Bakri said: 'I do not condemn or condone what is happening. But I think al-Qaeda's policy is not going to be effective.
'I always call for the release of any Muslims who have never committed a crime in Britain.'