Peter Kassig's parents 'implore' ISIS to release son

INDIANAPOLIS, Oct. 4 (UPI) —

The parents of an American aide worker kidnapped by the Islamic State, Peter Kassig, issued a video plea to his captors calling for his release.

Kassig’s name was mentioned at the end of a video purporting to depict the beheading of British aid worker Alan Henning on Friday.

Kassig, 26, was kidnapped by IS — also known by the acronyms ISIS and ISIL — in 2013 while he was in Syria as a medical worker with non-governmental organization Special Emergency Response and Assistance.

The former U.S. Army Ranger converted to Islam while in captivity and adopted the name Abdul Rahman.

Ed and Paula Kassig, of Indianapolis, published the video on YouTube on Saturday, extolling their son’s humanitarian work in Turkey and Syria.

"At an early age our son was inspired by his grandfather to do humanitarian work," Ed Kassig says in the video. "He grew to love and admire the Syrian people and felt at home there."

"We have no more control over the U.S. government than you have over the breaking dawn," Ed Kassig continued. "We implore his captors to show mercy and use their power to let our son go."

Paula Kassig also spoke, directly addressing her son.

"Please know we are all praying for you and your safe return," she said. "Our hearts ache for you to be granted your freedom."