Italian government paid $2 million to Taliban for hostage
An aid group that has been involved in negotiating the release of Italian hostages in Afghanistan says the government of Prime Minister Romano Prodi paid $2 million to free an Italian photographer last year.
The Foreign Ministry refused to comment. Gino Strada, founder of the non-governmental organization Emergency said on Sunday that the Italian government had paid millions to secure the release of freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello, who was abducted Oct. 12 and freed Nov. 3. (AP)
