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| Version 3 | Version 4 |
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| John Cantlie: Father appeals for UK hostage's release | John Cantlie: Father appeals for UK hostage's release |
| (about 3 hours later) | |
| The father of UK hostage John Cantlie has appealed for him to be released "to those he loves and who love him". | The father of UK hostage John Cantlie has appealed for him to be released "to those he loves and who love him". |
| The journalist, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012 and is being held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has so far appeared in three videos. | The journalist, who was kidnapped in Syria in 2012 and is being held by Islamic State (IS) militants, has so far appeared in three videos. |
| From hospital, Paul Cantlie said he felt "great relief" seeing his son for the first time in two years, but also experienced "despair and helplessness". | From hospital, Paul Cantlie said he felt "great relief" seeing his son for the first time in two years, but also experienced "despair and helplessness". |
| Meanwhile, IS has released a new video apparently showing a British jihadi. | |
| The videos of Mr Cantlie, who is originally from Hampshire, have all followed the same format, with the journalist sitting at a desk against a black backdrop to address the camera. | |
| In the most recent, released earlier this week, he delivered a scripted message mocking the US strategy of using air strikes combined with local ground forces. | In the most recent, released earlier this week, he delivered a scripted message mocking the US strategy of using air strikes combined with local ground forces. |
| At the end of the five-and-a-half minute film, he indicated there will be further messages. | At the end of the five-and-a-half minute film, he indicated there will be further messages. |
| There are no signs of violence in the videos but, in the first, Mr Cantlie made clear he was speaking as a prisoner whose life was in danger. | There are no signs of violence in the videos but, in the first, Mr Cantlie made clear he was speaking as a prisoner whose life was in danger. |
| 'Seeking true story' | 'Seeking true story' |
| His father said his family had been trying to deliver an "important message" to IS. | |
| "For the first time in almost two years, we saw John when he made a televised broadcast during which he told viewers that he was still a prisoner of the Islamic State and that maybe he will live and maybe he will die," he said. | |
| "As a family we experienced great relief seeing and hearing John and knowing that he is alive. This was followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness." | "As a family we experienced great relief seeing and hearing John and knowing that he is alive. This was followed by the feeling of despair and helplessness." |
| He said when his son was captured in northern Syria while working as a photojournalist, he was "seeking out the true story of the suffering of the Syrian people". | He said when his son was captured in northern Syria while working as a photojournalist, he was "seeking out the true story of the suffering of the Syrian people". |
| "John felt a strong need to help in the best way that he could," said his father. "As an impartial and respected journalist he knew that he could make a difference by acting as a platform for the world to listen to and take notice, using his journalistic skills for the good of the people, as a friend and as a civilian." | "John felt a strong need to help in the best way that he could," said his father. "As an impartial and respected journalist he knew that he could make a difference by acting as a platform for the world to listen to and take notice, using his journalistic skills for the good of the people, as a friend and as a civilian." |
| The Cantlie family is trying to communicate with IS "to deliver an important message regarding John" but has yet to receive a response, said his father. | The Cantlie family is trying to communicate with IS "to deliver an important message regarding John" but has yet to receive a response, said his father. |
| In a direct message to the militants, he said: "To those holding John: please know that he is a good man, he sought only to help the Syrian people and I ask you from all that is sacred, to help us and allow him to return home safely to those he loves and who love him." | In a direct message to the militants, he said: "To those holding John: please know that he is a good man, he sought only to help the Syrian people and I ask you from all that is sacred, to help us and allow him to return home safely to those he loves and who love him." |
| He said his family had received "many messages" of support. | He said his family had received "many messages" of support. |
| "Speaking entirely for myself, this is not how I had imagined I would be passing my 81st year," he added. | "Speaking entirely for myself, this is not how I had imagined I would be passing my 81st year," he added. |
| "I want John to know how very proud I am of him. I can think of no greater joy than seeing my dear son released and allowed to return home to us." | "I want John to know how very proud I am of him. I can think of no greater joy than seeing my dear son released and allowed to return home to us." |
| BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said to anybody with "an ounce of compassion", the video was "heartbreaking". | BBC security correspondent Frank Gardner said to anybody with "an ounce of compassion", the video was "heartbreaking". |
| "This is a propaganda thing," our correspondent said of the IS videos featuring the captured journalist. | "This is a propaganda thing," our correspondent said of the IS videos featuring the captured journalist. |
| "This is about twisting the knife because they can't reply against the air strikes - they haven't got the ability to shoot down war planes." | "This is about twisting the knife because they can't reply against the air strikes - they haven't got the ability to shoot down war planes." |
| The UK recently joined the US-led bombing campaign against IS after MPs voted overwhelmingly for British involvement in Iraq. | The UK recently joined the US-led bombing campaign against IS after MPs voted overwhelmingly for British involvement in Iraq. |
| Hostages killed | Hostages killed |
| John Cantlie - an experienced journalist and photographer - has twice been held captive in neighbouring Syria. | John Cantlie - an experienced journalist and photographer - has twice been held captive in neighbouring Syria. |
| He was kidnapped in July 2012, and handcuffed and blindfolded for a week, but escaped with the help from the Free Syrian Army. | He was kidnapped in July 2012, and handcuffed and blindfolded for a week, but escaped with the help from the Free Syrian Army. |
| A second kidnap happened when he returned to Syria towards the end of 2012. | A second kidnap happened when he returned to Syria towards the end of 2012. |
| IS, also known as Isis or Isil, has taken control of large areas of Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate. | IS, also known as Isis or Isil, has taken control of large areas of Syria and Iraq and declared a caliphate. |
| Since August, the group has killed three Western hostages - US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines. They have also threatened to kill British hostage Alan Henning. | Since August, the group has killed three Western hostages - US journalists James Foley and Steven Sotloff and British aid worker David Haines. They have also threatened to kill British hostage Alan Henning. |
| In the latest IS video, a man directly addresses Prime Minister David Cameron, saying: "If you were real men you will send all of your forces down on the ground - you will not bomb us from the skies... But you know that in the hearts of your men they're cowards." |