IRAQ: The terrorist group holding Mr Kenneth Bigley was heard from for the first time yesterday, demanding the British government respond to three conditions the group has set for the Briton's release.
Abu Amir, an alleged spokesman for the Tawhid and Jihad group, said it had sent the British government a list of conditions three days ago but had not heard back a reply yet.
He would not reveal the demands although he said they be made public shortly. Top of the list is believed to be a demand for money - which would be unpopular among the radical supporters of the Tawhid and Jihad group. The release of insurgent leaders from US-controlled Abu Gharib prison and a pledge not to attack Falluja are thought to be the other two conditions.
He quashed speculation that Mr Bigley may have been handed over to a more moderate group. "He is in our hands. If anyone from us is arrested by the Americans we'll kill him immediately," said Abu Amir.
An Iraqi reporter working for a British newspaper met Abu Amir in the town of Khaldiya, 10 miles north of Falluja. Abu Amir said had last seen Mr Bigley on Sunday and said that the Briton was alive and well. He said they wanted to release him.
"He eats seven times a day. He likes chicken too much," said Abu Amir, who spoke with a Jordanian accent.
Abu Amir arrived at the al-Khaldiya mosque in Khaldiya with four masked guards and introduced himself as belonging to Abu Musab al-Zarqawi's Tawhid and Jihad group. He provided no proof of his membership of the group but threatened to kill the Iraqi reporter if he was an American spy. Abu Amir was accompanied by a spokesman for a group claiming to have kidnapped Mr Bigley and two Americans from a wealthy Baghdad suburb over two weeks ago.
Officials at the Italian embassy in Baghdad said the al-Raid al Sud group - Black Flag - was also responsible for the kidnapping and release of two Italian aid workers last week in return for a ransom. There had been speculation the group might act as a middleman during negotiations to release Mr Bigley in return for money.