Scoop has an Ethical Paywall
Video: Abu Qatada Seeks Release Of Hostages
Video: Abu Qatada Seeks Release Of Hostages
The Guardian has reported that Abu Qatada, who has been described as Osama bin Laden's spiritual ambassador in Europe, made the plea in a film broadcast on Arab television networks for the kidnappers to free Norman Kember and Harmeet Sooden, James Loney, Thomas Fox, who were in Iraq as Christian peace activists. Mr Qatada, a Jordanian born imam who faces deportation as a terror suspect, addressed the group, known as the Swords of Righteousness Brigade, as "my brothers".
Abu Qatada said: "I, your brother Abu Qatada ... beseech my brothers in the Swords of Truth in Iraq, who are imprisoning the four Christian peace activists, to release them in accordance with the fundamental principle of mercy of our faith," he said in the appeal broadcast yesterday. "Our prophet said mercy should be shown unless there is a reason in Sharia [Islamic law] that prevents it."
Scoop
Scoop Independent News
Scoop is NZ's largest independent news source; respected widely in media, political, business and academic circles for being the place on the internet for publishing "what was really said", and for the quality of its analysis of issues.
Peter Dunne: Luxon Gets Out His Butcher's Knife - Briefly
Binoy Kampmark: Warring Against Encryption, Australia Is Coming For Your Communications
Gordon Campbell: On Fast Track Powers, Media Woes And The Tiktok Ban
Binoy Kampmark: Censorship Wars, Elon Musk, Safety Commissioners And Violent Content
Gordon Campbell: On The Public Sector Carnage, And Misogyny As Terrorism
Ramzy Baroud: NATO’s Never-ending War: The 75-Year-Old Bully Is Faltering