Kabul (AsiaNews) – The government in Kabul is “closely following” developments in the abduction of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who for the past four days has been thought to be in Taliban hands in the southern Helmand province, said Fawzia Koofi, deputy speaker of Afghanistan’s parliament. In talking to AsiaNews she also noted that in addition to La Repubblica’s correspondent, “there are two Afghan nationals who work with him as interpreters.”
Ms Koofi said that “intense diplomatic activity” is underway but stressed that the situation was complex and delicate. Circumstances are different from Iraq because “channels of communication are more restricted.”
The deputy speaker reiterated that the “Afghan government firmly condemns abductions in the country and reiterated the need that journalists be able to freely exercise their profession in Afghanistan.”
The Italian Embassy in Kabul admits of knowing little for certain. Ambassador Sequi told Italian media that “our compatriot is certainly in the hands of the Talibans in the southern part of Helmand province. From what has emerged so far, he is the prisoner of a group of rebel. But nothing else is certain.”
Meanwhile appeals for Mastrogiacomo’s release are multiplying. In Pakistan, Maulana Sami-ul Haq—a reference for many Taliban leaders and a member of the Islamic alliance Muttahida Majlis-e-Amal—urged the Talibans to release the journalist. But Islamic militants have accused him of being a British spy.
Italy’s Muslim community has also gotten involved. In a statement, the secretary general of the Islamic Cultural Centre and Mosque in Rome, Abdellah Redouane, said that tomorrow at Rome’s Grand Mosque an appeal will be made for Mastrogiacomo’s release following Friday prayers. (MA)