Video shows thinner, bearded Jim Loney, new threat issued

The Arab television channel Al Jazeera has today released a grainy new video taken on January 21 that shows Sault Ste. Marie's Jim Loney and three fellow abducted Christian Peacemaker Teams members.

The 55-second video (shown), released by Swords of Righteousness Brigade, is believed to show Loney, fellow Canadian Harmeet Sooden, Briton Norman Kember and American Tom Fox standing against a wall.

Closeup of James Loney in new videotape

The hostages look as though they're talking to the camera but their voices are not heard on the Al Jazeera broadcast.

They also appear thinner than before, and Loney is shown with a beard.

Was camera on night-vision setting?

The video is so gray in tone (the freeze-frame image used by SooToday.com to illustrate this article has been brightened considerably) that media have speculated it was shot using the camera's night-vision feature.

All but American Tom Fox can be seen wearing wool hats.

After the four peace activists are shown against the wall, the scene cuts to another scene in which they are seen seated.

To see part of the new video, please click here.

First recent evidence that Loney is alive

The video is the first evidence to materialize since early December that the four hostages are still alive, but it came accompanied by a new threat.

The four peace activists were abducted in Baghdad on November 26.

The Swords of Righteousness Brigade originally threatened to kill all four of the hostages by December 10 unless its demands, including the release of all Iraqi prisoners, were met.

That deadline was extended by two days.

Until this morning, no news had been received as to the wellbeing of Loney and his fellow hostages.

Saturday statement from CPT on word that Jim Loney is still alive

The Al Jazeera announcer said this morning that a Swords of Righteousness statement supplied with the new videotape indicates it's offering one "last chance" for Iraqi and U.S. officials to "release all Iraqi prisoners in return of freeing the hostages."

"Otherwise their fate will be death," the statement said.

Matt Loney, Jim's brother, said today that his family is pleased by the news that Jim is still alive, but everyone's still aware that the situation is precarious.

Last night's coverage on SooToday.com

You're not forgotten, Jim Loney