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Italian 'released in Afghanistan' Italian released in Afghanistan
(about 4 hours later)
An Italian photographer kidnapped in Afghanistan last month has been freed, the Italian defence ministry says.An Italian photographer kidnapped in Afghanistan last month has been freed, the Italian defence ministry says.
Gabriele Torsello and his Afghan translator were seized three weeks ago while travelling on a bus near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.Gabriele Torsello and his Afghan translator were seized three weeks ago while travelling on a bus near Kandahar in southern Afghanistan.
His kidnappers at one point offered to hand him over in return for an Afghan convert to Christianity, who had received asylum in Italy. His kidnappers at one point offered to hand him over in return for an Afghan convert to Christianity, who had been granted in Italy.
It is not clear what has happened to the translator.It is not clear what has happened to the translator.
One report said Mr Torsello's kidnappers had left him at the side of a road. The news, which was first reported by the Peace Reporter website, followed rumours that Mr Torsello had been caught up in a shoot-out.
The news, which was also reported by the Peace Reporter website, followed rumours that Mr Torsello had been caught up in a shoot-out. The Peace Reporter website published a telephone interview with Mr Torsello in which he describes how his captors released him.
The Italian newspaper Corriere della Sera said on Thursday there were reports that there had been a shoot-out between the journalist's kidnappers and the Afghan army, in which he may have been badly hurt or even killed. "They arrived and opened the door. One of them grabbed me and took me out without letting me put my shoes on and without blindfolding me, a thing that they always did," Mr Torsello told Peace Reporter.
The Italian defence ministry gave no comment on these reports, or on any of the details surrounding Mr Torsello's release. "He pushed me hard. I had the chains - I couldn't follow him and I had to jump to be able to follow him. I thought they were going to kill me.
However a foreign ministry told Italian television that the former hostage - a 36-year-old Muslim convert - was in good condition. "But they put me in a car instead."
Found on roadFound on road
Peace Reporter, a daily online newspaper with links to the Italian aid agency Emergency, which has been in contact with the kidnappers, said a phone call to a hospital run by the agency said Mr Torsello had been left on a road to Kandahar.Peace Reporter, a daily online newspaper with links to the Italian aid agency Emergency, which has been in contact with the kidnappers, said a phone call to a hospital run by the agency said Mr Torsello had been left on a road to Kandahar.
An Afghan member of Emergency's staff drove to the spot and found the Italian. Peace Reporter made no mention of his translator.An Afghan member of Emergency's staff drove to the spot and found the Italian. Peace Reporter made no mention of his translator.
Last month the kidnappers of Mr Torsello said he would be released in return for Abdul Rahman, an Afghan who escaped a death sentence in his home country for converting to Christianity, and was offered a home in Italy. Mr Torsello later made an emotional call to his parents. They said it was the end of a "nightmare".
The Italian government refused to take part in such a swap. Last Sunday, Pope Benedict XVI prayed for his release, and footballers in Serie A and Serie B wore shirts which read "Liberate Gabriele Torsello".
The identity of the kidnappers is not clear. The Taleban have denied any involvement.The identity of the kidnappers is not clear. The Taleban have denied any involvement.
Kidnappings of Westerners are not uncommon in Afghanistan.Kidnappings of Westerners are not uncommon in Afghanistan.
Italian aid worker Clementina Cantoni was released in June last year after nearly a month in captivity. The Italian and Afghan governments denied newspaper reports that a ransom had been paid.Italian aid worker Clementina Cantoni was released in June last year after nearly a month in captivity. The Italian and Afghan governments denied newspaper reports that a ransom had been paid.