‘Domenico free: it’s like coming back from Mars’

Published on 9 September 2013 at 15:08

Special envoy for La Stampa Domenico Quirico returned to Rome on the evening of September 8, after five months being held captive by a group of Islamist rebels in Syria, reports the Turin daily.

Quirico, aged 62, who had already been briefly held hostage in Libya in 2011, disappeared in Homs on April 9 at the same time as Belgian teacher Pierre Piccinin da Prata, and nothing was heard from them until their release.

According to Reporters Without Borders, 13 foreign journalists have either disappeared or are being held in captivity in Syria.

Receive the best of European journalism straight to your inbox every Thursday
Tags

Was this article useful? If so we are delighted!

It is freely available because we believe that the right to free and independent information is essential for democracy. But this right is not guaranteed forever, and independence comes at a cost. We need your support in order to continue publishing independent, multilingual news for all Europeans.

Discover our subscription offers and their exclusive benefits and become a member of our community now!

Are you a news organisation, a business, an association or a foundation? Check out our bespoke editorial and translation services.

Support independent European journalism

European democracy needs independent media. Join our community!

On the same topic