Paul Theo Curtis Expresses Thanks for Efforts to Free Him; Shirley Sotloff Pleads With ISIS to Free Her Son
BANFIELD: Just a short time ago, American journalist Peter Theo Curtis spoke publicly for the first time since being freed after nearly two years in captivity. After reuniting with his mom, Curtis spoke this morning with words of gratitude and also a request for privacy.</s>PETER THEO CURTIS, JOURNALIST HELD CAPTIVE IN SYRIA: In the days following my release on Sunday, I have learned bit by bit that there have been literally hundreds of people, brave, dedicated, and big hearted people all over the world working for my release. They have been working for two years on this. I had no idea when I was in prison, I had no idea that so much effort was being expended on my behalf. And now, having found out, I'm just overwhelmed with emotion. I'm also overwhelmed by one other thing and that is that total strangers have been coming up to me and saying hey, we're just glad you are home, welcome home, glad you are back, glad you are safe, great to see you. So I suddenly remember how good the American people are and what kindness they have in their hearts, and to all those people, I say a huge thank you from my heart, from the bottom of my heart. And now, look, I'm so grateful that you are expressing all this interest in me. At the same time, I have to bond with my mother and my family now.</s>BANFIELD: Understandable. Unbelievable. It is thought that Curtis was captured in 2012 in Syria by a Syrian rebel group with ties to al Qaeda, but we do know this -- he was handed over to U.N. peacekeepers on Sunday and was able to travel back home safely to Boston yesterday. And that is just a great story. In the meantime, however, there is something else at play. The family of another American journalist being held by ISIS militants, well, they're now pleading publicly for his life. This is Steven Sotloff who vanished in Syria last year. This is him on that same video that showed the gruesome beheading of his friend and fellow journalist James Foley. The executioner vowing to kill Sotloff too if United States air strikes didn't cease. This morning, al-Arabiya network broadcast an emotional appeal by Steven Sotloff's mom.</s>SHIRLEY SOTLOFF, STEVEN SOTLOFF'S MOTHER: I'm sending this message to you, Abu Bakr, the caliph of the Islamic State. I am Shirley Sotloff. My son Steven is in your hands. Stephen is a journalist who traveled to the middle east to cover the suffering of Muslims at the hands of tyrants. Steven is a loyal son, brother and grandson. He's an honorable man and has already 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. Since Steven's capture, I've learned a lot about Islam. I've learned that Islam teaches that no individual should be held responsible for the sins of others. Steven has no control over the actions of the U.S. government. He's an innocent journalist. I've always learned that you, the caliph, can grant honesty. I ask you to please release my child. As a mother, I ask your justice to be merciful and not punish my son for matters he has no control over. I ask you to use your authority to spare his life and to follow the example set by the Prophet Muhammad who protected people of the book. I want what every mother wants, to live to see her children's children. I plead with you to grant me this.</s>BANFIELD: Until recently, Sotloff's family had worked in secret to try to secure his release, fearing ISIS would harm him if they went public. But clearly they went public first. So what motivates ISIS terrorists to take hostages and sometimes kill them in the most bay barbaric ways? CNN has now interviewed two British ISIS members who are now fighting in Syria. Listen to this.</s>ATIKA SHUBERT, CNN CORRESPONDENT: Do you personally believe in beheadings and executions? Would you personally partake in one?</s>UNIDENTIFIED MALE: I would be personally honored. I hope god gives me a chance to do such a thing.</s>BANFIELD: More than honored to do that kind of execution. We're going to have more of that interview with ISIS fighters, just ahead.