VANCOUVER - There are reports that the kidnappers of a Canadian freelance journalist taken in Pakistan have made ransom demands.
The English-language Pakistani News International, citing unnamed sources, reported that the kidnappers want the equivalent of about $150,000 and the release of their colleagues from the Bagram jail in Afghanistan, in exchange for the release of Beverly Giesbrecht.
Giesbrecht, also known as Khadija Abdul Qahaar, was taken at gunpoint in November along with her translator and guide in the Bannu district in northwest Pakistan.
Her long-time friend Glen Cooper said he has hope for her safe return now that there's been a ransom demand.
"As long as it's looking more like a business (deal) rather than some rare event, then it gives me some mild optimism that she will be viewed as an asset," he said.
He said he doesn't know how the request for the release of jailed comrades would impact any deal.
"The only problem is that if at some point they feel there's not asset here, then what happens?" he asked.
Andre Lemay, a spokesman for the Foreign Affairs Ministry, said Friday that Canadian officials in Pakistan had not yet heard about the ransom demand.
Canada's general policy is not to pay ransom.
"We will not comment or release any information which may compromise efforts and jeopardize the safety of Canadians or other citizens," Lemay said.
Cooper, who has know Giesbrecht for two decades, referred to her as both Bev and Khadija during a telephone interview.
She converted to Islam in 2002 and adopted her new name after doing research on the reasons behind the 9/11 terror attacks.
She published Jihad Unspun, a now defunct website that was critical of the U.S.-led war on terror.
In a note posted on the website before it was pulled, Giesbrecht wrote that she launched the website "to give voice to the other side of (the) war on 'terrorism'."
Cooper was angry that the Internet service provider shut down the website, saying the site may be the best proof of his friend's Muslim identity.
He said he'd offered to pay the outstanding $124 bill in order to keep it up and running, but to no avail.
"It struck me that if the website were viable then this could be used by Bev, possibly as a bargaining chip, if she's having any discussions with her captors at all," he said.
A few hours after The Canadian Press called an official with the web provider, the website was back up and operating.
Giesbrecht left Vancouver for London on April 7 and arrived in Lahore, Pakistan, in August. She was reportedly on a freelance assignment for Al Jazeera when she was seized.
However, a spokesman with Al Jazeera refused to either confirm or deny that she was working for the news network.
With files from The Canadian Press
