Italian hostage freed, used as bait for Christian convert

LASHKAR GAH, Afghanistan — An Italian photojournalist taken hostage Oct. 12 while traveling in southern Afghanistan was set free after 23 days in captivity, according to BBC News.

At one point, his kidnappers offered to set him free if Italy would hand over Abdul Rahman, an Afghan Christian convert who was granted political asylum there earlier this year. The Web site PeaceReporter.org, affiliated with the Italian aid agency Emergency, said kidnappers of photographer Gabriele Torsello made their demands Oct. 17 to a hospital run by Emergency in the Taliban stronghold of Helmand in Afghanistan. They said they wanted Rahman back, presumably so he could be prosecuted and punished.

Last March, Rahman was granted refuge in Italy after being quietly freed by the Afghan Supreme Court. He faced possible execution under Islamic law in Afghanistan for converting to Christianity, but the court doubted his mental capacity to stand trial. Westerners applauded the release but some people in Afghanistan protested.

The kidnappers wanted Rahman to be handed over by the end of the Muslim holy month of Ramadan, which ended Oct. 24. At press time, there were no reports available about Rahman’s whereabouts.