Counterterrorism Research Library North Africa AQIM Demands Release of Abu Qatada in Exchange for British Hostage
AQIM Demands Release of Abu Qatada in Exchange for British Hostage
Last Updated (Monday, 29 November 1999 19:00) Written by Evan Kohlmann Wednesday, 29 April 2009 19:00
In February 2009, the NEFA Foundation published a communiqué from Al-Qaida's Committee in the Islamic Maghreb (AQIM) claiming responsibility for the kidnapping of U.N. special envoy for Niger Robert Fowler, his Canadian aide Louis Guay, and four European tourists. According to the statement, Fowler and Guay were kidnapped two months ago, while the European tourists -- identified as Edwen Dyer (England), Marianne Petzold (Germany), Werner Greiner (Switzerland) and Gabriella Burco Greiner (Switzerland) -- were seized on January 22nd. While Fowler, Guay, Petzold, and Grabriella Burco Greiner were relecently released, the NEFA Foundation has obtained a new communiqué in which AQIM has given the British government 20 days to release Abu Qatada to secure Dyer's freedom. According to the Special Immigration Appeals Commission, Abu Qatada “has given encouragement to the commission, preparation and instigation of terrorism overseas by providing spiritual and religous advice to a number of extreme Islamists prepared to carry out terrorist attacks...These groups and networks include the Al Qa’eda network, the Armed Islamic Group (GIA), the Salafist Group for Call and Combat (GSPC), and the Egyptian Islamic Jihad (EIJ)."
