Daniele Mastrogiacomo AP PHOTO

Daniele Mastrogiacomo, who was released March 19, said he was moved 15 times during his captivity, was bound by chains and held in places "as small as sheep pens."

Mastrogiacomo, a reporter for the Italian daily La Repubblica, arrived at a hospital in Lashkar Gah, in southern Afghanistan, where the Italian-led aid group Emergency is based, Premier Romano Prodi said.

"He is in good health and I expect in a few days, we will be able to hug him," Prodi said.

Prodi said securing Mastrogiacomo's release "was not simple," likely referring to the days of negotiations, and that more details would be released later. He also thanked Afghan President Hamid Karzai for his support.

The Japan Times Weekly: March 24, 2007
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