VIDEO: American held hostage by Al Qaeda for two years begs U.S. for help
Warren Weinstein, 72, was abducted from his home in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2011. In the video, he pleads with President Obama to negotiate with his captors.
Warren Weinstein, who has been held hostage by Al Qaeda for two years, urges President Obama to negotiate his release in a new video.
A 72-year-old American development worker held hostage for two years by Al Qaeda made a desperate plea to President Obama in a new video released Thursday.
Wearing a grey track suit and black knit cap, Warren Weinstein asked U.S. officials to negotiate his release.
RELATED: AL SHABAB KILLERS MAY CARRY U.S. PASSPORTS
Weinstein has issued previous appeals through Al Qaeda’s media wing during his two years in captivity.
INTELCENTER/EPA
Weinstein has issued previous appeals through Al Qaeda’s media wing during his two years in captivity.
“Nine years ago I came to Pakistan to help my government and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here,” said Weinstein, sporting a beard and appearing lethargic. “And now when I need my government it seems I’ve been totally abandoned and forgotten.”
The video was his first since September 2012 and labelled “As-Sahab,” which is Al Qaeda’s media wing. It was anonymously emailed to reporters in Pakistan.
RELATED: LONG ISLAND TEEN ADMITS TRYING TO JOIN AL QAEDA
Weinstein was abducted from this home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August, 2011. He was working for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises Pakistani business and government sectors.
RAHAT DAR/EPA
Weinstein was abducted from this home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August, 2011. He was working for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises Pakistani business and government sectors.
Al Qaeda kidnappers abducted Weinstein from his home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August 2011. He was serving as the country director in Pakistan for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors.
Al Qaeda has said Weinstein would be released if the U.S. halted airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. His captors also seek the release of all Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world.
RELATED: NYPD COMMISSIONER KELLY: TERRORISTS HAVE CHANGED
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri took responsibility for Weinstein’s abduction in a video released Dec. 1, 2011.
HO/AFP/Getty Images
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri took responsibility for Weinstein’s abduction in a video released Dec. 1, 2011.
Weinstein also addressed Secretary of State John Kerry his family and the media, urging them to not forget about his plight.
“I have been suffering deep anxiety every part of every day, not knowing what is happening to my family, not knowing how they are,” Weinstein said.
RELATED: LONG ISLAND MAN ARRESTED FOR PLOTTING TO JOIN AL QAEDA
Weinstein in 2009, two years prior to his abudction.
Mike Redwood/AP
Weinstein in 2009, two years prior to his abudction.
The White House has called for Weinstein's immediate release but has said it won't negotiate with Al Qaeda.
Weinstein’s previous hostage videos included an appeal to the Jewish community and Israel's prime minister.
With News Wire Services
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wor...aeda-begs-u-s-article-1.1558623#ixzz2oasV0xj2
Warren Weinstein, 72, was abducted from his home in Lahore, Pakistan, in 2011. In the video, he pleads with President Obama to negotiate with his captors.
Warren Weinstein, who has been held hostage by Al Qaeda for two years, urges President Obama to negotiate his release in a new video.
A 72-year-old American development worker held hostage for two years by Al Qaeda made a desperate plea to President Obama in a new video released Thursday.
Wearing a grey track suit and black knit cap, Warren Weinstein asked U.S. officials to negotiate his release.
RELATED: AL SHABAB KILLERS MAY CARRY U.S. PASSPORTS
Weinstein has issued previous appeals through Al Qaeda’s media wing during his two years in captivity.
INTELCENTER/EPA
Weinstein has issued previous appeals through Al Qaeda’s media wing during his two years in captivity.
“Nine years ago I came to Pakistan to help my government and I did so at a time when most Americans would not come here,” said Weinstein, sporting a beard and appearing lethargic. “And now when I need my government it seems I’ve been totally abandoned and forgotten.”
The video was his first since September 2012 and labelled “As-Sahab,” which is Al Qaeda’s media wing. It was anonymously emailed to reporters in Pakistan.
RELATED: LONG ISLAND TEEN ADMITS TRYING TO JOIN AL QAEDA
Weinstein was abducted from this home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August, 2011. He was working for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises Pakistani business and government sectors.
RAHAT DAR/EPA
Weinstein was abducted from this home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August, 2011. He was working for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises Pakistani business and government sectors.
Al Qaeda kidnappers abducted Weinstein from his home in Lahore, Pakistan, in August 2011. He was serving as the country director in Pakistan for J.E. Austin Associates, a U.S.-based firm that advises a range of Pakistani business and government sectors.
Al Qaeda has said Weinstein would be released if the U.S. halted airstrikes in Afghanistan, Pakistan, Somalia and Yemen. His captors also seek the release of all Al Qaeda and Taliban suspects around the world.
RELATED: NYPD COMMISSIONER KELLY: TERRORISTS HAVE CHANGED
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri took responsibility for Weinstein’s abduction in a video released Dec. 1, 2011.
HO/AFP/Getty Images
Al Qaeda leader Ayman al-Zawahiri took responsibility for Weinstein’s abduction in a video released Dec. 1, 2011.
Weinstein also addressed Secretary of State John Kerry his family and the media, urging them to not forget about his plight.
“I have been suffering deep anxiety every part of every day, not knowing what is happening to my family, not knowing how they are,” Weinstein said.
RELATED: LONG ISLAND MAN ARRESTED FOR PLOTTING TO JOIN AL QAEDA
Weinstein in 2009, two years prior to his abudction.
Mike Redwood/AP
Weinstein in 2009, two years prior to his abudction.
The White House has called for Weinstein's immediate release but has said it won't negotiate with Al Qaeda.
Weinstein’s previous hostage videos included an appeal to the Jewish community and Israel's prime minister.
With News Wire Services
Read more: http://www.nydailynews.com/news/wor...aeda-begs-u-s-article-1.1558623#ixzz2oasV0xj2
