( CNN ) -- U.S. journalist Austin Tice , who went missing while working in Syria two weeks ago , has been captured and is being held in Syrian government custody , The Washington Post reported Thursday , citing a senior diplomat and others familiar with the matter . The Post is one of several news outlets for which Tice , 31 , filed stories since he began reporting from Syria in May . He also reported for McClatchy Newspapers and Al-Jazeera English . Tice 's family immediately called for his release , saying in a statement , `` Austin is our precious son , and we beseech the Syrian government to treat him well and return him safely to us as soon as possible . '' The executive editor of The Post , Marcus Brauchli , also urged authorities to release Tice , as did Anders Gyllenhaal , McClatchy 's vice president for news . `` We welcome the news that Austin Tice is likely being held by the Syrian government , although this has still not been confirmed by government authorities , '' Gyllenhaal said in a statement . `` If this is indeed the case , it means we move to a new stage of waiting for his release . `` There 's no basis for detaining a journalist . Austin is a respected and very dedicated reporter and we would expect his immediate release . '' Tice 's last public post was August 11 on Twitter , where he said he spent the day with members of the rebel Free Syrian Army at a pool party with music . The U.S. State Department has been working through the Czech Embassy in Damascus to learn details of Tice 's whereabouts . The Post and the Committee to Protect Journalists , an advocacy group , both reported it was the Czech ambassador to Syria who first revealed the news about Tice on Thursday . Reporters Without Borders , another advocacy group , says Syria is one of the most dangerous places for journalists . Ten have been killed since the start of the conflict early last year , it says .
The Washington Post says Austin Tice is being held in Damascus . Tice , 31 , has n't been heard from in two weeks . He reported for the Post , McClatchy Newspapers , and others . Score: 6