Enthusiasm and relief in Italy greeted the release of La Repubblica journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, released by his Afghan kidnappers after holding him hostage for two weeks. Italian authorities said Mastrogiacomo is in good health and is expected to return home on Tuesday. Sabina Castelfranco reports from Rome.
Luisella Maria Longo Orhiuela, wife of Daniele Mastrogiacomo reacts to news of his release, 19 Mar 2007
Italy was overjoyed at the news of the release of Daniele Mastrogiacomo, the 52-year-old reporter of Italian daily La Repubblica, kidnapped in southern Afghanistan March 5. Mastrogiacomo was immediately taken to a hospital in Lashkar Gah where the aid group Emergency, which helped negotiate his freedom, is based.
Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi expressed relief and happiness at the release of the journalist. He said it had not been simple to obtain his freedom.
"I am beginning to relax," said Prodi. "These were truly dramatic days and I cannot hide that today I can breathe, with serenity and happiness, because we had some bad moments."
The prime minister said Mastrogiacomo's release was obtained through the collective effort of Italian authorities, humanitarian officials and the Afghan government.
Taleban rebels kidnapped the Italian journalist in southern Helmand province, along with his Afghan driver and interpreter. They accused Mastrogiacomo of spying for British forces.
The Afghan driver was killed last week. The interpreter is believed to have been freed along with the journalist but no details were immediately available.
Italian authorities were involved in intense negotiations to obtain the freedom of Mastrogiacomo. The Taleban's military commander, Mullah Dadullah, said the journalist was freed after Afghan authorities released five senior Taleban officials, including his own brother. No information was available on whether a ransom was also paid.
After his release, Mastrogiacomo spoke by telephone to his family and colleagues. He described his captivity saying that his hands and feet were kept chained at all times. He said he feared he would be killed.
He also said that during the day he was made to walk for miles in the desert and that he slept in 15 different prisons that were as tiny as sheep pens.
Speaking by telephone he said: "I felt I had not been abandoned and that there was hope that I would stay alive. This gave me courage especially at night that was a time of great desperation."
Mastrogiacomo thanked everyone in Italy for their support.
Helmand Province within Afganistan
Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo was released by his Taliban captors in Afghanistan, Monday, after having been kidnapped and held hostage since March 5, 2007. Mastrogiacomo's intrepreter is believed to have been released as well, though no details are reported.

Mastrogiacomo, a reporter with Italian newspaper '''', was taken captive in Helmand Province along with his Afghan interpreter and his driver, while attempting to obtain interviews with members of the Taliban.

In a television interview after his release, Mastrogiacomo expressed his gratitude to those that worked for his release. "I'm very happy, I thank you all. I knew you wouldn't abandon me", said Mastrogiacomo.

He also described some horrors that he witnessed while in captivity. Syed Agha had been killed in front of him by their captors. "I saw him being decapitated, it was horrific", Mastrogiacomo recalled.

The driver, Syed Agha was reportedly decapitated by his captors for "spying" in the presence of Mastrogiacomo. Agha's family blockaded the hospital in Lashkar Gah where Mastrogiacomo was being treated, demanding to know what happened to Agha. For reasons still unclear, security forces arrested the head of that hospital, Rahamatullah Hanafi.

Taliban commander Mullah Dadullah told  that the release of Mastrogiacomo and his interpreter was secured through the exchange of five senior Taliban members.

 Romano Prodi suggested it was not a simple task to secure Mastrogiacomo's release, which was obtained with the help of Italian authorities, humanitarian officials and the Afghan government.

According to Italian officials, Mastrogiacomo is to travel to  on Tuesday and then secure a flight to Italy.



'''This story has ''new developments''.'''

''Updated information can be found here''