Egyptian Kidnapper Threatens to Kill Two American Hostages If Arrested

July 15, 2012 — -- A Bedouin tribesman is threatening to kill two Americans he kidnapped Friday in Egypt's Sinai Desert if he's arrested.

Jirmy Abu-Masuh, 32, of the Tarbeen tribe, said in an interview that the Americans are being treated well — they've been given tea and a traditional Bedouin meal of lamb — but they won't be released until his uncle, who is in an Egyptian prison, is released as well. His uncle was taken into custody for refusing to pay 100 dollars in a bribe to police officers at a check point.

Abu-Masuh warned Saturday that if the authorities try to arrest him, he will kill the hostages, and if his uncle is not released, he will abduct more people and treat the Americans as prisoners, which could mean leaving them out in the desert.

"If my uncle gets 50 years (in prison), they will stay with me for 50 years. If they release him, I will release them," he told the AP Saturday. "Tomorrow I will kidnap other nationalities and their embassies will be notified for the whole world to know."

The two Americans who were kidnapped at gunpoint Friday are 61-year-old Michel Louis, the pastor of the Free Pentecostal Church of God in Dorchester, Mass., and 39-year-old Lisa Alphonse. Louis' son said his father has diabetes and may require medical attention soon.

They were captured in Egypt's Sinai Peninsula, on the road to Mount Sinai, where Moses is said to have received the 10 commandments.

According to his son, Michel was on a missionary trip to Israel, which he does every year, and happened to venture into Egypt this time. His wife accompanied him on the trip, and is still in Egypt.

"We're in good spirits because we know the God that we serve is in control of the matter," Jean Louis, Michel Louis' son said in a press conference.

Abu-Masuh said in an interview that he stopped their tour bus and also kidnapped their 28-year-old tour guide Haytham Ragab as well so he could translate.

Officials at the American embassy in Cairo says they're working closely with the Egyptian authorities to free the two Americans.

Abu-Mashu told The Associated Press that two intelligence officials came to his home Saturday to negotiate the captives' release.

The three hostages were relocated during the meeting and then returned when the officials left.

"We're hearing some good news that negotiations look like they're working out," said Jean Louis told the Associated Press.

Lawlessness has risen dramatically in the Sinai Peninsula, particularly since the fall of President Hosni Mubarak. Kidnappings by Bedouins have become more frequent — they also traffic in guns and drugs. Al Qaeda is known to operate in the region, though they are not believed to have been involved with this kidnapping.

This is the third time this year that American tourists have been kidnapped in the Sinai Peninsula. In early February, two American women were kidnapped and released six hours later after negotiations between Egyptian authorities and the kidnappers. In late May, two American tourists were kidnapped and released the next day.

This standoff was underway as Secretary of State Hillary Rodham Clinton was in Egypt to meet with Egypt's new Islamist president, Mohammed Morsi, elected after the Arab Spring.

The revolution has left the Egyptian military with no control over large areas of the country, allowing these kidnappings to take place.

ABC News' Alexander Marquardt and The Associated Press contributed to this report.