The Italian journalist has been released in Afghanistan
The La Repubblica’s journalist Daniel Mastrogiacomo, kidnapped on March, 5th 2007 in Afghanistan, has been released today. Such information was given today by the Associated Press, referring to the application of the Italian Ministry on Foreign Affairs.
It is worth of mentioning that there were messages that talibs have released Daniel Mastrogiacomo and hiss translator, however the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Italy has declared, that it cannot confirm this information yet. As the representative of the Italian foreign policy department has declared, while the journalist will not be transferred in hands of the Italian authorities or Emergency humanitarian organization, they cannot declare with confidence that is realized.
According to insurgents, the Italian journalist has been transferred to the local tribes’ leaders after two members of “Taliban” movement have been released from prisons. However the kidnappers have declared that the Italian citizen could be kidnapped again if the authorities would not release one more member of the “Taliban” grouping.
Observers believe, that the Afghani government in exchange for freedom of the Italian journalist has promised to set free three insurgents of the “Taliban” movement, arrested by the central authorities.
Daniel Mastrogiacomo has been kidnapped in Helmand province.