www.aljazeera.net: http://www.aljazeera.net/news/archive/archive?archiveid=78956 al-qaida declares the killing of American hostage in Saudi Arabia The kidnappers of American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson executed their threat today s evening after warning time is over, which was given to Saudi authorities to release al-qaida prisoners. One Islamic website displayed scenes of hostage Johnson s beheading and released a statement signed by al-qaida of Arabian Peninsula stating: in fulfillment to what was promised, the fighters of Faluja troops have knife-beheaded the American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson after the warning period, which was assigned by Mujahidene to the sinners of Saudi government, is over. The kidnappers gave the Saudi government a 72 hours warning to release their fellows who were imprisoned in Saudi jails. However, Riadh denied compliance to their demands and assured that no negotiations will be held with the terrorists. Washington followed Riadh footsteps and denied dealings with the kidnappers despite the frequent requests by the hostage s family. Also Americans were advised not to travel to Saudi Arabia, and those who are already there to leave because of what was so called terrorist threats. US State Department stated that they are still receiving information indicating that, who are so called, radicals are planning attacks targeting American and western interests. The article continues to talk about the Imam of the Haram urging Muslims to stay away from violence. No specific reference to the beheading. 1
www.alquds.co.uk: http://www.alquds.co.uk:8080/archives/pdf/2004/06jun/19junsat/quds01.pdf His beheading was displayed on the internet after FBI team failed to save him. Al-Qaida beheads the American hostage in Saudi Arabia Riadh London- al-quds al-arabi -agencies: Saudi security sources stated on Friday evening that the kidnappers of American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson killed him by beheading for Saudi government noncompliance with their demands. Sources have told United Press International that kidnappers confirmed killing Johnson, by beheading, during a phone call with Saudi authorities. The kidnappers said that killing the hostage came after a warning time was over, which was given to the Saudi authorities to comply with their demands, which were not met. Saudi authorities suspect that the murder happened somewhere in the Saudi Capitol, Riadh. Later on, the American hostage s body was found separated from its head in the Saudi Capitol. Sawt al-jihad al-islami displayed scenes of the beheading on the internet. The site also displayed 3 photos to what seemed to be the hostage s head after it was cut off. One photo showed blood dropping from the head, which was thrown on the back of the body in an orange suit with a knife on top. Another photo showed the head raised by a hand. The third photo showed the body and the cut off head from another angle. The site also stated that Sawt al-jihad, al-qaida s site in the Arabian Peninsula, is declaring the beheading of the American hostage after the warning period is over, which was given to the sinners in Saudi Arabia. In Riadh, the US Embassy spokesperson said that they are aware of the news. A statement signed by al-qaida Organization in the Arabia Peninsula in fulfillment to what was promised, the fighters in Faluja troop have beheaded the American hostage Paul Marshall after the warning time we determined for the sinners of Saudi government was over. Al-Qaida statement said that they killed the hostage to heal the hearts of believers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Arab Peninsula, and other Muslim countries without paying attention to the blame by losers and the ugly voices of the failures of whom who God has exposed them in such an incident, who raised their voice for the imprisonment and killing of a Christian soldier in times when they themselves were quite and cowardly to say a word and honor themselves and the week of tortured and imprisoned Muslims in the hands of the cross worshipers and sinners in Abou Ghraib, al-hayer, Guantanamo, Roys, and others. They added that Marshall was killed to taste some of what Muslims have tasted for long by American Apatchi fire and missiles.. that plane, which the American animal 2
was fourth of four supervising the maintenance and development of its electronic systems in the holly land. Al-Qaida says that they seek attack and kidnap in revenge for the American mistreatment of Muslim prisoners. The statement said and we, God help us, are proceeding on this track to fight God s enemies and destroy every base of theirs. And I conclude by saying those Americans and their alliances in disbelief and murder who gathered to fight Islam, this action is a lesson for them to see that who ever, of them, steps in our land, this severe punishment will be their reward. US Secretary of State Colin Powel condemned the kidnappers action of beheading and described it as a brutal action. Johnson, who worked for a military contracting company Lockheed Martin, was the first western to be kidnapped in a series of kidnappings the radicals started in the Kingdom for more than a year. Al-Qaida says that they seek attacks and kidnaps in revenge for the US mistreatments of Muslim prisoners. The US and KSA rejected negotiating with the kidnappers who threatened on Tuesday to kill the hostage in 72 hours if the prisoners, who were in-jailed for being linked to al-qaida, were not released. Earlier, a top Saudi official in Washington, who refuse to be identified, confirmed that a team of about 20 FBI agents specialized in saving hostages and negotiating has been working side by side with the Saudis in attempt to save the hostage. He also stated that more than 1500 Saudi security officers and individuals were dedicated for finding Johnson in Riadh and they searched houses surrounding the city which were sheltering al-qaida supporters. He added that more than 1200 houses were searched. 3
www.asharqalawsat.com: http://www.asharqalawsat.com/default.asp?issue=9335&page=front&article=240198 al-qaida beheads the American hostage and his body is found east of Riadh News about a search mission reached out to caves and farms outside of Riadh. Fears of attacks on Arabs and Muslims in America Al-Riadh: Muneif al-safouqi---al-dammam: Merza al-khweldi London: al-sharq al-awsat al-qaida Organization has executed its past Wednesday warning, when one of its cells beheaded the American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson, who was kidnapped last Saturday in Riadh. The terrorists gave Riadh a 72 hour warning ended yesterday to release the American hostage in exchange to releasing all terrorist prisoners, who were captured in the past on the grounds of executing terrorist actions, by security authorities. Sources indicated that the body was found in al-munsyeh neighborhood east of the Saudi Capitol, where the kidnappers created a fake check point for him to force him to stop according to an earlier observation assuring him stopping undercover in a Saudi outfit. The kidnappers were able to drug him and burn his car to hide his traces. Sawt al-jihad al-islami website displayed horrible scenes of the beheading of hostage Johnson who was kidnapped last Saturday. The site showed photos showing the head placed over the body that was soaked in his blood. The murdered victim appeared laying in his bed with his head off his body. Al-Qaida statement did not indicate the timing of the hostage s beheading or the location of the body. However, the photos that came with the statement were disgusting and showing the brutal method of the murder. The photos showed that the beheading was by a knife. Saudi security forces continue their search for the terrorists in all areas in Riadh for the fourth day. Last morning there was a tight security surrounding al-jazeera neighborhood. Reports came that the military also participated in the search efforts. They were seen next to security and counter terrorist swat teams. Reports also indicated that a suspect was captured in al-aqeeq and another suspect was captured in al-qaseem. On the east coast, security forces surrounded a house in al-zuhoor in al-dammam and captured a suspect. Per eye witnesses, the security authorities found a PC belonging to a suspect together with a set of documents at his house when searching it. 4
Also, eye witnesses reported that security forces have surrounded a house in al- Zuhoor at 4:30 in the afternoon and captured a suspect Saudi living with his family. The young man is single and works at Saudi Telecom according to neighbors. Security sources stated that the search operation covered 1200 houses and reached out to caves outside of Riadh. In the mean time, fears have spread in the US for counter attacks against Arab and Muslims in revenge to Johnson s death. Sheigh Saleh Bin Abdallah Bin Hameid, Imama and speaker of Masjed al-haram, in his speech yesterday stated that each destructive action targeting the innocent is a murder and forbidden by Muslim law. He also described the killers as a group of the mislead and dark dust gathered in sin and conducted murder and crime and wasted lives of Muslims and non-muslims of those who seek peace and treaty. 5
www.ahram.org: http://www.ahram.org.eg/archive/index.asp?curfn=fron2.htm&did=8158 (This URL will shoot you to the present World section of the news paper---you will need to search in the World section dated 6/20/2004to get to the article, or check the attached PDF in this e-mail) Saudi security directs a quick strike to al-qaida after the beheading of American hostage Jeddah-by Mohammad Sadi and Issam Abdulkareem-Riadh-by Saleh Kgeiry-and news agencies: In a fast and effective move and after few hours from the beheading of the American hostage Paul Johnson, Saudi security forces succeeded last night to kill 4 of the terrorists in Riadh and on top was Abdulazeez al-muqrin, al-qaida leader in Arabian Peninsula. a Department of State source stated that appropriate departments are pursuing killing and murder crimes that some Riadh residents have been exposed to during the last few weeks. They cornered 4 of the wanted at a gas station at the Melz area in Riadh. There was a wide exchange of fire which resulted in killing four and the death of a Saudi security officer and harming tow of his colleagues. Security forces have captured 12 other suspects who are being interrogated. The beheading of the American hostage after a 72 hour warning has generated a wide range of anger and condemnation in the Kingdom, officially and publicly. 6
www.alwatan.com.kw: http://www.alwatan.com.kw/print.aspx?page=1&topic=264847 A new bloody, brutal, shameful crime costing the life of American hostage.. Johnson They beheaded him!!.. and opened the doors to hell With al-qaida beheading the American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson in an ugly way depends on cutting off the head and placing it on the back of the victim s body that is soaked in blood. Sources indicated that KSA will take new security measures, and unheard of, in order to corner growing terrorism in the country. It is expected that different security departments will be cooperating in the Kingdom. President Bush condemned Johnson s killing saying there is no excuse at all for killing him and they killed him without mercy. He added telling reporters in Seattle that America will not be terrorized. Colin Powel described the operation as a brutal action. The execution and display of the operation in a new bloody video tape was broadcasted by internet websites hours after the Masjid Haram Imam, Sheikh Saleh Bin Hamid in Mekka, called to stop attacks against non-muslims in KSA. The new crime follows al-zarqawi s crime in Iraq and was described by American Secretary of State as a brutal action. A group linked to al-qaida executed its threat of killing American hostage Paul Marshall Johnson who was kidnapped last Saturday and Sawt al-jihad al-islami displayed scenes of his beheading. The website stated that Sawt al-jihad, al-qaida s base in Arabia, declared the beheading of the American hostage after the Saudi government warning time is over. Three photos were attached to the text, one showing the separated head placed on the back of the victim s body soaked in his blood. It was stated later on an internet site that the body was found in Riadh. In Riadh, US Embassy spokesperson said that they were aware of the news. US and KSA refused to negotiate with the kidnappers who threatened on Tuesday to kill the hostage in 72 hours if al-qaida suspects were not released out of prison. Paul Marshall Johnson (49 years old) is a flight engineer last appeared in a tape, broadcasted repeatedly, blinded with white cloth fixed with tape and wearing a torn red shirt showing a tattoo on his left shoulder. The beheading was announced by Sawt al-jihad al-qaida s base in Arabia and was broadcasted by many internet websites. The website stated in fulfillment of what was promised, the fighters from Faluja beheaded the American hostage Paul Johnson after the warning time, which was determined by Mujahedoon, to see his just punishment in this life and afterlife. And al-qaida stated that the beheading came for the (hostage) to taste some of what Muslims have tasted for long by American Apatchi s fire and missiles that 7
plane, which the American animal was fourth of four supervising the maintenance and development of its electronic systems in the holly land. The site added we are proceeding on this track to heal the hearts of believers in Palestine, Afghanistan, Iraq, Arab Peninsula and al-sham land to shame soldiers of sin and disbelief until the government of Shari a and Tawheed raises, paying no attention to the losers and the voices of traitors of whom who raise their voice in anger when a Christian soldier is kidnapped and killed. And concluded stressing Americans and their alliances in disbelief and murder who gathered to fight Islam, this action is a lesson for them to see that who ever, of them, steps in our land, this severe punishment will be their reward. Paul Johnson s son urged the Saudi government through American television to negotiate with the kidnappers in an attempt to release his father. Also, Johnson s wife (Thailand,) through al-arabyiah space channel, had a touching statement requesting the release of her husband. However, Saudi authorities pushed away a possibility to negotiate with the terrorists and the US took the same position. Saudi new papers indicated yesterday, Friday, stressing that Riadh did not chose so far anything but to punish the kidnappers. Saudi newspapers main title carried the statement of Saudi Minister of Internal Affairs, Prince Nayef Bin Abdelaziz to the French Le Figaro assuring that three of the four armed men who killed 22 people and kidnapped a number of hostages in the oil city of al-khubar east of the Kingdom last month, were able to escape. And the article goes on talking about other incidents 8