22/10/2014

Father Of British IS Hostage John Cantile Dies

Paul Cantile, the father of John Cantile, a British man currently being held hostage by Islamic State (IS), has died.

A statement released by the family confirmed that Mr Paul Cantile died in hospital from complications following pneumonia on 16 October. He was 80.

Mr Cantile's son John, a journalist, was captured by IS in Syria in 2012 and has appeared in a number of IS propaganda videos.

Paul Cantile had released a video message from his hospital bed earlier this month asking for those holding John to release him.

It is understood that the family had kept the news of Paul's passing private to allow efforts to be made to reach and tell John, before it became public.

(MH/CD)

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