The mother of Steven Sotloff, a US journalist being held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has made an emotional video appeal for his release.
Shirley Sotloff addressed her plea directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the militant group.
Mr Sotloff, who vanished last year in Syria, appeared in a video showing the killing of US journalist James Foley.
The militant on the video said his life depended on the next move of US President Barack Obama.
The US has recently carried out dozens of air strikes against IS targets in Iraq.
Steven Sotloff went missing in Syria in August 2013
In her video message, Mrs Sotloff described her son as a journalist who had travelled to the Middle East to cover the "suffering of Muslims under the hands of tyrants".
"Steven has no control over the actions of the US government. He's an innocent journalist. I've always learned that you, the caliph, can grant amnesty. I ask you to please release my child," said Mrs Sotloff.
"I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad."
Mr Sotloff's case was not widely reported after his mother was told by IS militants he would be killed if she publicised it.
But last week, Mr Sotloff appeared at the end of an IS video showing the beheading of James Foley.
The masked militant who beheaded Mr Foley held Mr Sotloff by the collar and said: "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision."
Pray that this desperate and tactful mother's plea to release her son is heard by Caliph Ibrahim and that Caliph Ibrahim really controls anything at all.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28958336
Shirley Sotloff addressed her plea directly to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi, the leader of the militant group.
Mr Sotloff, who vanished last year in Syria, appeared in a video showing the killing of US journalist James Foley.
The militant on the video said his life depended on the next move of US President Barack Obama.
The US has recently carried out dozens of air strikes against IS targets in Iraq.
Steven Sotloff went missing in Syria in August 2013
In her video message, Mrs Sotloff described her son as a journalist who had travelled to the Middle East to cover the "suffering of Muslims under the hands of tyrants".
"Steven has no control over the actions of the US government. He's an innocent journalist. I've always learned that you, the caliph, can grant amnesty. I ask you to please release my child," said Mrs Sotloff.
"I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad."
Mr Sotloff's case was not widely reported after his mother was told by IS militants he would be killed if she publicised it.
But last week, Mr Sotloff appeared at the end of an IS video showing the beheading of James Foley.
The masked militant who beheaded Mr Foley held Mr Sotloff by the collar and said: "The life of this American citizen, Obama, depends on your next decision."
Pray that this desperate and tactful mother's plea to release her son is heard by Caliph Ibrahim and that Caliph Ibrahim really controls anything at all.
http://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-28958336
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