Johnston honoured at Amnesty awards

The BBC's Alan Johnston was honoured with a prestigious journalism award just hours after being freed following 114 days in captivity.

The 45-year-old, who was threatened with death and left feeling like he had been "buried alive", was released on Wednesday in Gaza after being kidnapped on March 12 by a group calling itself the Army of Islam.

He is now recovering in Jerusalem with friends and colleagues before returning home to the UK.

His overjoyed parents, Graham and Margaret Johnston, travelled to London from Lochgoilhead in Argyll in Scotland to accept the award on their son's behalf.

Mr Johnston won the radio journalism category at Amnesty International's annual media awards, which recognise excellence in human rights reporting. He had been selected before news of his release emerged.

Amnesty International UK director Kate Allen said the judges had looked at each entry on its merits and were "determined" not to allow his kidnapping to sway them.

She said: "The judges were impressed by Alan's insight into everyday suffering, gained by living in Gaza, and his commitment to telling ordinary peoples' stories.

Receiving the award, Mr Johnston senior said: "It's been quite a day. I know he will be highly honoured to have received this. We are just so thankful that he's back."

His son's freedom followed a late-night deal between the ruling Hamas Islamists and his captors, the al-Qaeda-inspired group the Army of Islam.

© Independent Television News Limited 2007. All rights reserved.