Italian Photojournalist Torsello Freed

Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello, who was kidnapped in Afghanistan 3 weeks ago, has been released and is now with his family in Italy.

Torsello was freed Friday and reported to be in good health. “I am well. Thank you, Italy,” Torsello said after stepping off the plane in Rome, according to the Associated Press.

His abductors had earlier threatened to kill him if their demands were not met by the Italian government. The kidnapers had demanded the withdrawal of Italian troops from Afghanistan and the repatriation of an Afghan national who had converted to Christianity and fled to Italy.

Italian ambassador to Afghanistan Ettori Francesco Sequi said none of those demands were granted by Italy. Also denying ransom, Sequi said pressure from local elders and the work of Afghan authorities helped free the photographer.

Torsello Freed
Photo courtesy of Ivan Tortorella/AP

[Via: AssociatedPress]

Published by Chris Malinao

Chris teaches Lightroom as workflow software to photography students at the FPPF, Federation of Philippine Photographers Foundation. He also teaches smartphone photography.