Kidnapped Italian journalist may be freed: Taliban

[maddezmom]

Kidnapped Italian journalist may be freed: Taliban
09 Mar 2007 06:54:50 GMT
By Saeed Ali Achakzai

SPIN BOLDAK, Afghanistan, March 9 (Reuters) - The Taliban said on Friday they would free kidnapped Italian reporter Daniele Mastrogiacomo if he could prove he was not a spy.

The reporter was picked up in the lawless southern province of Helmand on Monday along with two Afghan colleagues, and the Taliban said he confessed spying for British troops.

Taliban spokesman Mullah Hayat Khan said on Friday they were still questioning Mastrogiacomo and he could be released if he was found innocent.

"There's a good chance that the journalist Daniele came only to report and may not be involved in spying," Khan told Reuters by satellite phone from an undisclosed location.

more:http://mobile.alertnet.org/thenews/newsdesk/ISL165067.htm

[winter999]

1. Is that with or without his head?

[Igel]

2. The tradition presumption of guilt.

Guilty, unless proven innocent beyond any doubt.

[maddezmom]

3. Taliban commander threatens to kill Italian journalist

Taliban commander threatens to kill Italian journalist 7 minutes ago



KANDAHAR, Afghanistan (AFP) - A top Taliban commander threatened Saturday to kill a kidnapped Italian journalist within seven days unless its arrested spokesmen were freed and a date was set for the withdrawal of Italian troops from Afghanistan.

Mullah Dadullah, speaking to AFP by telephone from an unknown location, said the militia had set a seven-day deadline for the demands to be met otherwise "we will slaughter this man," referring to La Repubblica correspondent Daniele Mastrogiacomo.

"Our spokespersons should be released and our news should be allowed to be disseminated without censorship," he said to an AFP correspondent who has spoken to the commander before. The Taliban website (www.alemarah.org) was blocked last week.

"We have no enmity with the Italians. If they set a date for their withdrawal, we will release the Italian," he said.

more:http://news.yahoo.com/s/afp/20070310/wl_afp/afghanistanunrestitalykidnap_070310125404