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Mother Of South Florida Journalist Held By ISIS Makes Plea To Leader

MIAMI (CBSMiami) -The family of a Miami journalist being held as a hostage by the terrorist organization, ISIS, breaks its silence. The plea for mercy came from the mother of journalist, Steven Sotloff through a video.

The video of Shirley Sotloff was sent to a number of media outlets and was broadcast Wednesday morning on Al Arabiya Network and was obtained by CNN.

In the video message, Sotloff's mother made a direct appeal to the Islamic extremists holding her son.

"I am Shirley Sotloff. My son, Steven, is in your hands. Steven is a journalist who traveled to the Middle East to cover the suffering of Muslims at the hands of tyrants," says Shirley Sotloff in the video.

READ: Mother Of American Journalist Held By ISIS: "He Is Still Alive"

Before today, the Sotloff family had not spoken publicly since his capture by ISIS terrorists in 2013. The family fears Sotloff could suffer the same fate as another American journalist who was beheaded by the same group last week.

"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," continues the message.

"People of the book" is a reference to Christians and Jews. Shirley Sotloff's message is directed to the self-proclaimed leader of ISIS.

The terror group also captured and behead journalist James Foley last week. In the execution video, ISIS threatens to kill Sotloff next if the United States doesn't stop air-strikes against ISIS in Iraq.

"Islam teaches that no individual should be held responsible for the sins of others," said Shirley Sotloff. "Steven has no control over the actions of the U.S. government. He's an innocent journalist."

The 31-year-old  journalist went to Central Florida University and describes himself on his Twitter page as a "stand-up philosopher from Miami." His family lives in Pinecrest.

READ: Family, Friends Of South Florida Journalist Held By ISIS Pray For His Safety

The video ends with a plea for "amnesty."

"I want what every mother wants: to see her children's children. i plead with you to grant me this."

It's unknown whether the release of this message has anything to do with the release of another American journalist. Peter Curtis just arrived back on American soil after being released by a wing of Al-Qaeda in Syria. That group is a rival of ISIS.

Click here to watch MaryAnn Martinez's report. 

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