November 03, 2006

Taliban Frees Italian Hostage

Great news, Taliban frees Italian hostage Gabriele Torsello. The Italian was a Muslim convert, and cutting the head off such a person doesn't really play to the Taliban's base.

The Taliban had earlier demanded the return of a Christian convert in exile in Italy, Abdul Rahman. Under Islamic law, apostates may receive the death penalty.

BBC:

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.

His kidnappers at one point offered to hand him over in return for an Afghan convert to Christianity, who had received asylum in Italy.

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.

Hat tip: George

Related:
Italian Journo Kidnapped in Afghanistan
Islamist Kidnappers Will Exchange Hostage for Apostate Muslim

By Rusty Shackleford, Ph.D. at 09:04 AM | |