Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena who has been held hostage by terrorists in Iraq since February 4, 2005 has been released. It did not go smooth however and the car she was in sped towards a checkpoint without stopping. The car was fired upon and Sgrena was injured. In addition one of the negotiators for her release was killed.

This is a sad event and while the press seems to be focusing on the checkpoint guards I will focus on an idiot driver who after being out of the area of harm foolishly sped towards a checkpoint as if they are supposed to know the car is not a threat.

Reuters

Freed Italian journalist Giuliana Sgrena was injured and another person killed on Friday when "multinational forces" fired on a speeding automobile at a military checkpoint in Baghdad, the Pentagon said.

A Pentagon official said she was in the custody of U.S. forces, but did not give the extent of her injuries.

"Multinational forces fired on a vehicle that was approaching a coalition checkpoint in Baghdad at a high rate of speed," Defense Department spokesman Bryan Whitman told reporters.

"The recently freed Italian journalist was an occupant in the vehicle and was apparently injured. Though details are unclear at this point, it appears that a second person in the automobile was killed," Whitman added.

The incident is under investigation, he said.

In Rome, Italian Prime Minister Silvio Berlusconi called on the United States to explain how U.S. forces in Iraq had killed an Italian agent and someone had to take responsibility for the shooting.

I love Silvio Berlusconi, I really do, but he has to realize the the person at fault was the guy driving who thought he was Mario Andretti. Coalition forces wouldn't shoot at a car they knew was carrying a hostage and anyone who thinks so is a fucking idiot.

For all entries at Diggers Realm and more information visit the Giuliana Sgrena Archives.

Tipped by: The Jawa Report who's still saying it was all destiny that she would be released.

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