Pages

Friday 29 August 2014

Captured U.S. journalist's mother pleads with ISIS: "My son, Steven, is in your hands.

The anguished mother of a captured U.S. journalist pleaded Wednesday with the barbarian holding Steven Sotloff to spare his life and set him free.
“He’s an innocent journalist,” Shirley Sotloff said in a videotaped address to ISIS leader Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi that was broadcast on the Al Arabiya Network.
Addressing the murderous ISIS chief as “the caliph of the Islamic State,” the Florida mom said, “My son, Steven, is in your hands.”


“I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to set the example of the Prophet Muhammed, who protected ‘People of the Book,’ ” she said, referring to a Muslim term for Jews and Christians. “I want what every mother wants: to live to see her children’s children. I plead with you to grant me this.”
Steven Sotloff is a freelance journalist being held captive by ISIS militants.Steven Sotloff is a freelance journalist being held captive by ISIS militants.
Shirley Sotloff made her heartfelt plea a week after ISIS released an unspeakable video showing the beheading of another American journalist, James Foley.
Minutes after cutting off Foley’s head, the masked executioner warned that Sotloff, 31, could be next.
In her plea to Baghdadi, Sotloff’s mom insisted her son “traveled to the Middle East to cover the suffering of Muslims at the hands of tyrants.”
“Steven is a loyal and generous son, brother and grandson,” she said. “He’s an honorable man and has always tried to help the weak.”
“We’ve not seen Steven for over a year, and we miss him very much. We want to see him home safe and sound and to hug him.”
Islamic State terror chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was begged to show mercy and release Sotloff.APIslamic State terror chief Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi was begged to show mercy and release Sotloff.
Her son, she added, “has no control over the actions of the U.S. government.”
“Since Steven’s capture, I’ve learned a lot about Islam,” the 63-year-old mom continued. “I’ve learned that Islam teaches that no individual should be held responsible for the sins of others.”
She pleaded with Baghdadi to spare her son.
“I’ve always learned that you, the caliph, can grant amnesty,” she said. “I ask you to please release my child. As a mother, I ask your justice to be mercifuland not punish my son for matters he has no control over.”
White House spokesman Josh Earnest said President Obama was aware of Shirley Sotloff’s video, but not sure he had seen it.
Earnest said the President is “deeply engaged” in trying to get Sotloff and other American hostages in the Middle East released.
Getty Images provides access to this publicly distributed image for editorial purposes and is not the copyright owner. Additional permissions may be required and are the sole responsibility of the end user.HANDOUT/GETTY IMAGESSteven Sotloff (c., in black helmet) was captured one year ago while he was reporting in Syria.
ISIS warned in a video that Steven Sotloff would be beheaded if Obama does not bend to its will.YOUTUBEISIS warned in a video that Steven Sotloff would be beheaded if Obama does not bend to its will.
“She obviously, as is evident from the video, feels desperate about the safety and well-being of her son, and understandably so, and that is why our thoughts and prayers are with Mr. Sotloff’s family at this very difficult and trying time,” Earnest said.
U.S. Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen (R-Fla.) said the government has been working feverishly — and behind the scenes — to secure Sotloff’s release.
“This is a tragic situation, and we have seen that (the Islamic State) has no respect for human life,” she said.
Shirley Sotloff’s plea came after ISIS launched a new terror campaign on Twitter to get President Obama to stop bombing their positions in Iraq.
It features Sotloff and urges ISIS followers to flood the Twitterverse with ghastly pictures and warnings that he will be beheaded if Obama does not bend to their will.
Via - nydailynews.

No comments:

Post a Comment