Italian kidnapped in Afghanistan released unhurt

KABUL - An Italian aid worker kidnapped in Afghanistan has been released and is fine after 24 days in captivity, government officials from both countries have announced.

Clementina Cantoni, 32, was kidnapped by four gunmen on a Kabul street on May 16. Her abduction mobilised protesters in Afghanistan and Italy amid contradicting reports about her fate, including rumours that she had been killed.

"I am pleased to announce that this evening we were able to free Clementina Cantoni who was taken hostage 24 days ago by a criminal gang in Kabul," Afghan Interior Minister Ali Ahmad Jalali told a news conference.

Cantoni, who works for the Care International aid agency, was in good condition and had been in touch with her family, he said.

The kidnapping was another blow for the US-backed government of President Hamid Karzai as it struggles to impose authority while battling Taliban insurgents and a wave of crime.

"It's an enormous relief," Italian Foreign Minister Gianfranco Fini told reporters in Luxembourg.

Cantoni's father, Fabio Cantoni, greeted journalists in front of his Milan apartment. "We have talked to Clementina and we found her in the same good humour as always," he said.

"Our first thoughts go to all of those people who still find themselves in the position Clementina was in." Pope Benedict had joined calls for her release.

Sky Italia television showed pictures of Cantoni, her face and shoulders covered by a large, light blue scarf, walking down some stairs with a woman.

Italy's Foreign Ministry said Cantoni would return to Italy today.

Officials have declined to reveal the demands of Cantoni's kidnappers or their identity except to say they were criminals, not Islamic militants. Jalali said no ransom had been paid.

"We did not give any concessions to kidnappers. No ransom was paid and no other concessions were given," he said.

He said her release was the result of hard work by the police and the country at large including tribal elders and Muslim clerics who had helped with negotiations.

"The weight of all this effort finally persuaded the kidnappers to free her," he said.

"We had 24 days of sleepless nights and we are happy that it paid off," he said.

Jalali did not say where Cantoni was, but he said she was well.

"She came here to the Ministry of Interior, she spoke with her family, her mother, and she is feeling well, she has good health," he said.

The abduction raised fresh fears of Iraq-style kidnappings by anti-government insurgents or criminals.

Cantoni appeared in a videotape broadcast on Afghan television on May 29 looking tense and flanked by two gunmen pointing assault rifles at her.

Three foreign UN election workers were kidnapped in Kabul in October and held for 27 days before being released unharmed.

Their kidnappers were believed to have been criminals linked to a Taliban splinter faction, and officials initially said Cantoni's kidnappers were suspected to belong to the same gang.

Cantoni had been in Afghanistan for three years, most recently helping impoverished widows.

- REUTERS