Can't talk yet of Syria captivity, journalist says

Peter Theo Curtis smiles as he talks with reporters outside his mother's home in Cambridge, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014.  Curtis, a freelance reporter who wrote under the byline Theo Padno and who had been held hostage for about two years in Syria, returned to the U.S. Tuesday.
Peter Theo Curtis smiles as he talks with reporters outside his mother's home in Cambridge, Mass., Wednesday, Aug. 27, 2014. Curtis, a freelance reporter who wrote under the byline Theo Padno and who had been held hostage for about two years in Syria, returned to the U.S. Tuesday.

CAMBRIDGE, Mass. -- A U.S. journalist spoke publicly for the first time since his release from a Syrian extremist group, saying Wednesday that he was overwhelmed to learn that so many "brave, determined and bighearted" people were behind efforts to secure his release.


RELATED ARTICLES

http://www.arkansas…">U.N.: Syrian civilians target of war crimeshttp://www.arkansas…">U.S. looking at aid mission to Iraq Turkmens

Peter Theo Curtis, who was freed Sunday after 22 months in captivity, declined to talk about his ordeal, saying in brief remarks that he needed time to reconnect with his family after his return to the United States.

"I have learned, bit by bit, that there have been literally hundreds of people, brave determined and bighearted people, all over the world working for my release," he said. "They've 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."

Curtis, 45, of Boston, was released by the Nusra Front, an al-Qaida-linked group that is fighting the regime of Syrian President Bashar Assad.

He was released days after another extremist group in Syria, the Islamic State, released an online video showing the beheading of American journalist James Foley in retaliation for U.S. airstrikes targeting Islamic State positions in northern Iraq.

Curtis said Wednesday that he was grateful for the many people, including strangers, who have welcomed him back since his return.

"I suddenly remember how good the American people are and what kindness they have in their hearts," he said.

Curtis promised reporters he would help them tell his story. "I have to bond with my mom and my family now," he said, declining to take questions. "In the future, I promise I will be present and I will help you guys do your job. I'm one of you. ... But I can't do it now."

Matt Schrier, an American photojournalist who escaped last year after being held captive in the same cell as Curtis, has said the two were tortured, including being subjected to severe beatings on the soles of their feet that left them unable to walk. He said on 60 Minutes that the captors suspected Curtis was a CIA agent because he spoke Arabic well.

On Tuesday, CBS released clips of the November interview with Schrier, saying it had previously withheld them at the request of his family.

In a statement released Tuesday night, Curtis said he was "deeply indebted" to the U.S. officials who worked on his behalf, as well as the government of Qatar. His family has said the Arab country's involvement was crucial in securing his freedom and that they were told he was freed on a "humanitarian basis" with no ransom paid.

Curtis was released Sunday and was reunited with his mother at Boston's Logan Airport on Tuesday, according to his family.

Curtis' family members have said they believe he was initially captured in October 2012, shortly after crossing into Syria.

Curtis has written for the New Republic and other publications under the name Theo Padnos.

He also wrote a 2011 book called Undercover Muslim: A Journey Into Yemen, which studied the radicalization of disaffected youths. His family said he changed his legal name to Peter Theo Curtis after the book's publication to make it easier to travel in Arab countries.

Another U.S. freelance journalist, Austin Tice of Houston, disappeared in Syria in August 2012. He is believed to be held by the Syrian government. The Islamic State has also said it is holding American journalist Steven Sotloff captive and has warned that he would be killed if U.S. airstrikes continue.

A Section on 08/28/2014

Upcoming Events