Text Only
Search

 
Berlusconi Confirms US Forces Fired on Hostage in Iraq

04 March 2005

Giuliana Sgrena (Il Manifesto file photo)
Giuliana Sgrena (Il Manifesto file photo)

Italy's prime minister has confirmed that U.S. forces in Iraq opened fire on a car carrying a freed Italian hostage and her rescuers, Friday.

Silvio Berlusconi said freed journalist Giuliana Sgrena sustained a shoulder injury and an Italian agent who helped free her was killed. Mr. Berlusconi said he has summoned the American ambassador in Rome for an explanation of the incident.

Executives at Ms. Sgrena's newspaper, Il Manifesto, said the shooting occurred at a coalition checkpoint as the car headed to Baghdad airport.

A spokesman for the U.S. military in Baghdad told VOA they are looking into press reports about the incident, but had no information.

Gunmen abducted Ms. Sgrena outside a Baghdad mosque on February 4. She later appeared in a video appeal for Italian troops to leave Iraq.

Some information for this report provided by AP, AFP and Reuters.

emailme.gif E-mail This Article
printerfriendly.gif Print Version

  Related Stories
French Reporter Held Hostage Makes Video Appeal for Help
US Officials Greet Iraqi TV Tape With Caution
 
  Top Story
Obama, World Leaders Honor Veterans on Anniversary of End WWI

  More Stories
South Korean Military on High Alert After Naval Clash
Clinton Discusses North Korea, Burma Issues at APEC
Obama Pays Tribute to Fort Hood Shooting Victims   Audio Clip Available  Video clip available
Washington Area Sniper Executed
Bomb Rocks Northwestern Pakistan
China Ready to Welcome President Obama  Video clip available
British PM Defends Military Mission in Afghanistan  Audio Clip Available
Lebanon's Unity Government Convenes for First Time
Report: Africa's Disappearing Wetlands Produce 'Alarming' Levels of Greenhouse Gas
IEA Urges Action on Climate Change
Somali Pirates Deny Arms Seizure  Audio Clip Available
Cross-Examination Begins in War Crimes Trial of Former Liberian President  Audio Clip Available
US Development of H1N1 Vaccine Hits Snag  Video clip available
Clinton Urges 'Compassion' for Americans Detained in Iran  Audio Clip Available
World War II Museum Expansion Aims at Younger Generations  Audio Clip Available  Video clip available