Italian hostage 'to be freed soon'

The Italian hostage Giuliana Sgrena will be released in the next few days, according to an internet statement today in the name of the Iraqi militant group holding her.

“After the judicial committee of the Jihad Organisation interrogated the Italian captive Guiliana Sgrena, it has been found that the Italian captive is not involved in spying for the infidels in Iraq,” the group said in a statement posted on a website that frequently carries messages from Islamic militants.