Italian hostage 'defied killers' (Bravo!!)

BBC ^ | 4/15/2004 | BBC

[Rutles4Ever]

The dead man was identified as Fabrizio Quattrocchi, 36, a security guard.

As the gunman's pistol was pointing at him the hostage "tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'now I'll show you how an Italian dies,'" he said.

Meanwhile, three Japanese hostages held in Iraq have been released, the government in Tokyo has confirmed.

The Arabic TV station Al-Jazeera has broadcast images of the three, who it said had been handed over safe and well to Muslim clerics.

Japan is investigating reports that two more of its citizens - freelance journalists - have been abducted.

Tape withheld

Al-Jazeera also said it had video footage of Mr Quattrocchi's death, but would not broadcast it, because it was "too gruesome".

An Italian diplomat viewed the tape and relayed the details to Rome.

"He died a hero," Mr Frattini said, adding the family had authorised him to reveal the details.

Three other Italians, abducted on Monday, are still held by the same group in Iraq. They were working as security guards for a US-based company.

Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi said the killing - the first confirmed hostage death in Iraq - would not affect the peace effort.

"They have destroyed a life, they have not cracked our values and our efforts for peace," he said in a statement read out on Italian TV.

Mr Berlusconi's office said that an envoy, Gianni Castellaneta, would be sent to the region to try and obtain the release of the three other Italian hostages.

The BBC's Brian Barron in Rome says the government appears to be pinning its hopes on mediation by Iran.

'Bandits'

Mr Frattini said earlier that the kidnappers were "a group of bandits, not tied organically to any group".

US President George W Bush has also vowed to stay the course as the threat of kidnappings remains.

The US-led coalition says around 40 foreigners are currently held hostage by militants in Iraq

[Rutles4Ever]

Take note, Old Europe

[Rutles4Ever]

The Italian hostage killed by kidnappers in Iraq was a defiant "hero" in his final moments, Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini says.

Sorry, I missed the first paragraph, somehow...

[Semper Paratus]

Bravo Fabrizio, multi bene.

[EllaMinnow]

As the gunman's pistol was pointing at him the hostage "tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'now I'll show you how an Italian dies,'" he said.

Wow.

[OneTimeLurker]

Why Bravo? This guy miscalculated. It doesn't look like they were necessarily going to kill them. If the others come home safe, was it still a good move?

[MattGarrett]

Sounds like it time to get THE FAMILY back in the war business.

[Monty22]

c'mon, you never expect to get out alive when an islamic has the jump on you. I sure wouldn't.

[Yardstick]

Al-Jazeera also said it had video footage of Mr Quattrocchi's death, but would not broadcast it, because it was "too gruesome".

More like because it would enrage and inspire the Italians. Al-Jazeera knows a defiant Italian would be bad PR for the terrorists.

[eleni121]

Muslim scum once again at what they do best: murdering, enslaving, and terrorizing those who will not submit to their squalid idols and ideology.

For hundreds of years the Italians living on the coasts and especially Sicily were constantly being attacked by Islamic goons and taken as slaves. Thousands upon thousands were taken to North Africa and points east to work and die as slaves for the mohameddans. Now this...there are no words to describe my emotions. Suffice it to say thankfully Berlusconi is in charge and these bastards will pay and pay dearly.

(posted yesterday but relevant in memory of this hero)

[highlander_UW]

Al-Jazeera also said it had video footage of Mr Quattrocchi's death, but would not broadcast it, because it was "too gruesome".

More like because it would enrage and inspire the Italians. Al-Jazeera knows a defiant Italian would be bad PR for the terrorists.

That was exactly what I was thinking...that his bravery in the face of the cowardly murder at the hands of his muslim captors reflected poorly on the islam.

[Charlespg]

As the gunman's pistol was pointing at him the hostage "tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'now I'll show you how an Italian dies,'" he said.

Wow this guy had a heart of iron and balls of steel

a salute to him and a big F*** you to the islamnazis and their Friends

[claudiustg]

---More like because it would enrage and inspire the Italians. Al-Jazeera knows a defiant Italian would be bad PR for the terrorists.---

I agree! Al-Jazero didn't want to show Islamics in a bad light.

[Centurion2000]

I think islam has forgotten something.

Italian ancestors were the ones that did in Carthage.
Sounds like the italians are starting to get pissed off again.

[laconic]

The genes of the Roman legionnaires live on! This man had courage, honor and self-respect until the end.

[T.Smith]

I'd like to send the family flowers, or perhaps a donation to his kids (if he had any). Where would I get information on doing that?

[TeleStraightShooter]

good point

[laconic]

Good point; I'd be real careful in angering the Italians. Their predecessors in the Roman Empire not only destroyed the Carthaginian (Tunisian) Army at Zama, they leveled Carthage and salted down its soil so that nothing would ever again grow there.

[Yardstick]

that his bravery in the face of the cowardly murder at the hands of his muslim captors reflected poorly on the islam.

reflected poorly on Islam -- and well on Italy. Neither are helpful messages for the terrorists. A defiant West is the last thing they want.

[easonc52]

EMBASSY OF ITALY IN THE UNITED STATES

3000 Whitehaven Street, NW - Washington, DC 20008

Tel (202) 612-4400 - Fax (202) 518-2154

http://www.italyemb.org/