The leader of Al Qaeda addresses Weinstein’s family, telling them that “your government tortures our prisoners, but we have not tortured your prisoner.” He also warns them not to trust President Obama’s assurances that everything is being done to secure Weinstein’s release, accusing the president of wishing “[Weinstein] would be killed to get rid of his problem.”

In exchange for Weinstein’s release, Zawahiri requests the lifting of the Israeli “siege” of the Gaza strip, the complete end of “bombings by America and its allies in Pakistan, Afghanistan, Yemen, Somalia and Gaza,” the release of all al Qaeda and Taliban prisoners and the closing down of the U.S. military prison at Guantanamo bay, Cuba, in addition to the release of members of Osama bin Laden’s family.

“Obama has the power, capacity and authority to free [Weinstein],” says Zawahiri. “He could also leave him in captivity for years and, if he does something stupid, kill him.”