Looks like that Italian hostage in Iraq, an anti-war journalist who writes for the Communist publication Il Manifesto, will be released soon. Al Jazeera (natch) reports:

“Since it has become absolutely clear that the Italian prisoner is not involved in espionage for the infidels in Iraq, and in response to the call from the [Association of Muslim Scholars (AMS)], we in the Jihad Organisation will release the Italian prisoner in the coming days,” the statement dated Monday said.

It mentioned by name Giuliana Sgrena, a journalist with left-leaning Rome newspaper Il Manifesto who was seized as she conducted interviews near Baghdad University on Friday.

The influential AMS had earlier called for her release.

Skeptical blog inquiries here, here, and here.

Speaking of strange abductions, has anyone seen Wassef Ali Hassoun lately?

Just wondering.