Taliban frees Italian Journalist

An Italian journalist kidnapped by the Taliban in Afghanistan two weeks ago has been released.

The 52-year-old Italian journalist, Daniele Mastrogiacomo is currently in a hospital in Afghanistan. Italian Prime Minister Romano Prodi said that Mastrogiacomo is in good health. Two weeks ago, Mr. Mastrogiacomo, a journalist for La Repubblica daily, was seized in the southern Helmand province. At the time, he was attempting to interview senior Taliban officials. The Taliban stated that they would free the journalist if Italian troops left Afghanistan. In the end, according to Taliban leader Mullah Dadullah, Mr. Mastrogiacomo was freed after Afghan authorities released 5 senior Taliban officials. According to Prime Minister Prodi the release of Mastrogiacomo was not simple. He went on to say that more details would be released later.