Italian Volunteer Abducted in Kenya Freed After 18 Months in Captivity

A 24-year-old Italian volunteer who was abducted by unknown gunmen at the Kenyan coast 18 months ago has been released.

This was announced by Italian Prime Minister Giuseppe Conte through his official Twitter page on Saturday, May 9th.

Conte lauded Italy's external intelligence services for their efforts in Silvia Constanca Romano’s release from Somalia.

Ms. Romano was kidnapped by the assailants from her rented house in Chakama, Kilifi County on November 20th, 2018.

"Silvia Romano has been released. I thank the women and men of the external intelligence services. Silvia, we are waiting for you in Italy," Conte tweeted.

Ms. Romano, a medical specialist, was working with African Milele Onlus, a non-governmental organization at the time of her abduction, which left five residents with gunshot wounds.

She had been held captive in Somalia for the last one year, according to intelligence reports. The abductors had reportedly demanded ransom from the Italian government and family in exchange for her release.

Kenyan authorities arrested three suspects in connection to her abduction. The three; Ibrahim Omar, Abdulla Wario, and Moses Liwali were released on bail after denying abduction charges.