March 19, 2007

Italian Reporter Freed, For a Price

Via Monters and Critics:

Rome - The Taliban have freed an Italian journalist held by the insurgents since March 4, the Italian government said Monday, confirming earlier reports out of Kabul.

'Daniele Mastrogiacomo has been freed and is in good condition,' Prime Minister Romano Prodi said in Rome.

Prodi said Mastrogiacomo was currently in a hospital run by Emergency, an Italian non-governmental organization, and that he expected him to return to Italy 'within a few days.'

The premier was speaking just minutes after the publication of a report by the Pajhwok Afghan News, which quoted a Taliban commander as saying Mastrogiacomo had been handed over to Italian officials in Afghanistan in exchange for the release of five Taliban prisoners.

Unfortunately everyone who works for the NGO called Ewergency is now in danger. Once the Taliban figure out how easy it was to extort concessions from the Italians they will use this.

So the reporter got his story. It only cost the release of five terrorists and his driver's life. Some bargain, I hope it was worth it.

More information here.

By Howie at 11:53 AM | |