Update: Kidnappers Set New Demands for Photographer's Release

Updated October 20, 2006

Kidnappers who abducted Zuma Press contract photographer Kash Gabriele Torsello in Afghanistan on October 12 have imposed a second condition for his release, demanding on October 18 that Italy withdraw its troops as a condition for his release, according to Zuma president Scott McKiernan. Italy's defense minister has reportedly ruled out a troop withdrawal, however.

On October 16, the kidnappers demanded that Italy return an Afghan man granted asylum in Italy last spring after he converted to Christianity. They have accused Torsello of being a spy, and have threatened to kill him by Tuesday, October 24 if their demands are not met.

The Afghan citizen, Abdul Rahman, fled the country after converting to Christianity, which is an offense punishable by death in Afghanistan.

The AP says Italian officials were informed of the kidnappers' demands by an Italian NGO in Kabul that has had contact with Torsello and his captors. Those captors have allegedly indicated that the Italian government has until the end of Ramadan?Tuesday, October 24?to hand over Abdul Rahman.

Torsello was abducted at gunpoint last Thursday while traveling between the provinces of Helmand and Kandahar. According to his agent, Scott McKiernan of Zuma Press, Torsello had been in Afghanistan about a month documenting the plight of the Afghan people as the country's US-backed government struggles with the Taliban for control of the country.

Torsello was traveling by bus with translator Gholam Mohammad, who reported that Torsello was abducted by five gunmen. Torsello used his cell phone Saturday to call a hospital run by the Italian NGO and report that he was OK.

The NGO has since had contact with Torsello's captors, who claimed to be Taliban members. Taliban officials denied responsibility for the kidnapping.

The NGO reported the demands of the kidnappers on its web site last night, according to AP.

Torsello, an Italian national, is based in London. He has a wife and one child, according to McKiernan.

On October 20, McKiernan forwarded the following report he received from Afghan journalists who claim to have talked to Torsello:


Gabriele Torsello said he was under constant threat and extreme pressure from his abductors. His words were rightly supported by his shaky voice while talking.

"The kidnappers frequently tell me that I am a spy and that British troops bombed Musa Qala and Nawzad districts on my intelligence," said Toresllo. He said he did not know where he was kept as the abductors blindfolded him after he was forcibly got off the car. Interrupting Torsello's conversation, the kidnappers repeated their demand of handing over of an Afghan convert to Christianity, who was granted asylum by Italy and also withdrawal of Italian forces from Afghanistan.

The abductors, contrary to their previous remarks, distanced themselves from the Taliban and said they were just Muslims fighting foreign occupation in this war-battered country.

A man speaking harshly with local Helmandi accent warned if the Afghan Christian convert Abdul Rahman was not handed over to an Islamic court for trial and unless Italian soldiers leave Afghanistan, they would kill the journalist by Monday midnight.

When asked Torsello of the treatment by the abductors, the men around him prevented him to say anything.

The Taliban have again said they were not involved in kidnapping of the journalist and neither [have] they made any demands. Taliban spokesman Qari Yousuf Ahmadi distanced the movement from the abductors on Thursday again.

Five unidentified gunmen kidnapped Torsell from a bus when he was on his way from Lashkargah to Kandahar on October 12. Torsello went from Lashkargah to Kabul on September 19. Earlier, he told locals that he had [a] photo agency and website and wanted to visit some districts for taking snaps. He also visited Musa Qala district of the southern Helmand province and took several pictures.

Ghulam Mohammad, a passenger travelling with Torsello from Lashkargah to Kandahar, said the photojournalist was abducted by unidentified armed men.

He told that five gunmen stopped their vehicle and kidnapped the Italian journalist. When Torsello was contacted on his cellphone, the reply received:" Yes, we are Taliban and we have abducted the foreigner on charges of spying."

Italy's defense minister has ruled out a troop withdrawal from Afghanistan as demanded by the kidnappers of an Italian photojournalist.

Kidnappers who seized Italian photojournalist Gabriele Torsello in Afghanistan last week issued the demand late Wednesday.

Previously, the abductors said they would release Torsello if Italian authorities returned an Afghan convert to Christianity who was granted asylum in Italy.

Related links

• Reporters Without Borders petition


• More information about Torsello