100,000 call for BBC reporter's release
The BBC has sought to keep Alan Johnston's plight in public view
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Tuesday, 22, May 2007 11:28
In excess of 100,000 people have signed a petition calling for the release of kidnapped BBC journalist Alan Johnston.
According to the BBC, that number of people have added their names to the petition since it was first launched on April 2nd.
Some 6,000 people have also left messages of support on the BBC News website for the kidnapped Gaza correspondent, who has now not been seen for more than ten weeks.
Mr Johnston went missing on March 12th as he approached the end of his three-year stationing in Gaza. He is believed to have been abducted at gunpoint.
Numerous world figures have called for his release and 300 leading journalists began the petition for his release last month in the Guardian newspaper.
Mr Johnston's family marked his 45th birthday last week by recording messages for him.
In her message, his sister Katriona Johnston said: "Happy birthday Al. I'm missing you lots. Don't worry about mum and dad, I'm keeping their spirits up as you know I can. Lots of love."
A group calling itself Jaish al-Islam, or Army of Islam, released a tape earlier this month showing Mr Johnston's BBC ID card and demanding the release of Muslim prisoners in British jails.