After ten days of silence, on the afternoon of Thursday 02, around 19,30 afghan time, the italian photoreporter kidnapped on October 12 has called the Emergency hospital in Lashkar-Gah. The call wipes away doubts and rumours about his presumed death. ''I'm fine, yes, I'm fine'' Torsello said with a tired voice. "How long will this last? Who are these people who keep me hostage?".  The first thought of the journalist goes to his son: "Where is he now? Let them take him to his grandmother".

 

The last direct contact with Gabriele Torsello dates back to October 23, when at 11,30 am (afghan time) the staff of Emergency hospital in Lashkar-Gah had received a phone call from the kidnappers of the italian photoreporter abducted on october 12 on the road from Lashkar-Gah to Kandahar. The staff said that "they didn't speak directly to Torsello, but the kidnappers have assured us he is in good health conditions". The contact, besides reassuring on the physical conditions of Gabriele, showed that after the expiry of the ultimatum the kidnappers wished to keep a negotial channel open. Another phone call between Gabriele Torsello's kidnappers and the italian ngo Emergency had taken place thursday 19 october. Torsello spoke directly with Rakhmatullah Hanefi, the hospital's security advisor, saying he was fine and 'worried'. Lord Nazir Ahmed, british MP and friend of Torsello has made a plea for his release: "Set him free, he is a muslim brother".