Italy: hostage Sylvia Romano returns after being released in Somalia

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Silvia Romano was kidnapped by a commando of men, armed with rifles and machetes, in the village of Chakama, in the south-east of Kenya, on November 20, 2018. An act by the Somali jihadist group al-Shabab, according to Italian intelligence services. Released on the night of May 8 to 9 in Somalia, 30 km from Mogadishu, she was repatriated to Italy this Sunday, May 10.

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From our correspondent in Rome ,   Anne Le Nir

The first words of the young woman, aged 24, after being held hostage for 536 days were: "  I was strong and I resisted  ". Dressed in an almond green abaya, veiled head, radiant eyes, nose and mouth protected by a mask, the humanitarian, volunteer of the NGO Africa Milele Onlus, who takes care of orphan children, was welcomed at the Rome military airport by his parents, from Milan, the President of the Council, Giuseppe Conte, and the Minister for Foreign Affairs, Luigi Di Maio, who wore a mask in the colors of the Italian flag.

A rake paid by  the Italian State

Before returning to Milan, where the whole city awaits her for a virtual party, and where she will be placed in quarantine, Silvia Romano must be heard by the magistrates of the national anti-terrorist prosecutor's office.

His release is said to be the result of close cooperation between the Italian intelligence services, the Somali police and the Turkish secret services, which are very present in Somalia. Several media refer to a ransom of "  two to four million euros  ", paid by the Italian state. 

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• Italy
• Kenya
• Somalia

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Kenya: vast manhunt to find Silvia Romano, the Italian kidnapped