Two Italian aid workers held hostage freed
(Baonghean.vn)- Two Italian aid workers kidnapped in Syria more than five months ago have been released. Arriving at Rome airport early on January 16, Greta Ramelli, 20, and Vanessa Marzullo, 21, were welcomed by the Italian Foreign Minister.
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| The two girls landed safely in Rome early Friday morning, January 16. Photo: AFP |
No details were provided about the circumstances behind the release.
When they were kidnapped in July 2014, both men were working on humanitarian projects in Aleppo province in northern Syria.
The two young women flew from Türkiye to Italy and were greeted by the country's Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni.
They were taken to hospital for medical checks before meeting anti-terrorism prosecutors who have opened an investigation into the kidnapping.
Marzullo's father, Salvatore, said: "I feel this is a great happiness because I have waited for this news for so long."
Greta Ramelli and Vanessa Marzullo appeared in a video showing them being taken hostage and released two weeks ago. The kidnappers admitted the women were being held by the al-Nusra Front, an al-Qaeda affiliate in Syria.
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| Two women seen in hostage video released 2 weeks ago Photo: AFP |
In the tape, a woman says in English: “We are in great danger and we could be killed. The government and the army must take responsibility for our lives."
Last month, a video of the two women appeared on YouTube, in what was seen as a goodwill gesture by the jihadists, who insisted that a large ransom would be needed to free the two hostages.
The Italian Foreign Ministry said the release of the two aid workers was the result of work by Italian investigators, without providing further details.
The BBC's Gillian Hazel in Rome says there are unconfirmed rumours that a ransom of up to $15m was sought in negotiations with Al-Qaeda to free the two hostages.
Italy has paid ransoms for its citizens when they were taken hostage. Both the al-Nusra Front and its rival the Islamic State have taken hostages in the conflict in Syria.
Huong Giang
(According to BBC)
