It’s been a year since American journalist Steven Sotloff was kidnapped by terrorists in Syria. In that time, Sotloff’s family here in Pinecrest has not spoken publicly. But that changed Wednesday with a plea from Sotloff’s mother.
The short but moving video message from Shirley Sotloff is addressed to Abu Bakr al-Baghdadi. He’s the leader of the extremist Islamic State of Iraq and Syria – or ISIS – which has threatened to kill her son if the United States continues bombing ISIS targets.
In her message, Shirley Sotloff emphasizes Steven’s compassion for Muslims – and she repeatedly cites Muslim teaching about not harming the innocent.
“As a mother I ask your justice to be merciful and not punish my son for matters he has no control over," she says. "I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to follow the example set by the prophet Mohammed.”
The Sotloff family is breaking its silence after a video released last week showed the gruesome execution of another ISIS captive, American photojournalist James Foley.
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