Two Italian aid workers held hostage in Syria freedJanuary 16, 2015 - 10:39 AMT PanARMENIAN.Net - Two Italian aid workers held hostage in Syria for almost six months have arrived back on home soil after being released, the Italian government has announced, according to CNN. Greta Ramelli and Vanessa Marzullo were greeted on the tarmac in Rome by officials, including Foreign Minister Paolo Gentiloni. Marzullo, 21, and Ramelli, 20, were kidnapped in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo shortly after they arrived in late July to work on humanitarian aid projects, the state-run ANSA news agency said. A video posted on New Year's Day showed two young women identified as the hostages dressed in Islamic garb with only their faces showing. They appeared to be seated against a wall. One read a brief statement in English, which included: "We are in big danger and we could be killed." There were no other details divulged Thursday about the release. Photo: CNN Related links: Top stories Azerbaijani President Ilham Aliyev arrived in Moscow on April 22 to hold talks with Russian counterpart Vladimir Putin. Authorities said a total of 192 Azerbaijani troops were killed and 511 were wounded during Azerbaijan’s offensive. In 2023, the Azerbaijani government will increase the country’s defense budget by more than 1.1 billion manats ($650 million). The bill, published on Monday, is designed to "eliminate the shortcomings of an unreasonably broad interpretation of the key concept of "compatriot". Partner news | Armenia, Turkey discuss restoration of historic bridge The meeting took place on May 17 in Ashgabat on the sidelines of an international conference of ministers of culture. India wants Armenia’s proposals on use of Chabahar port India is expecting proposals from Armenia regarding the use of Chabahar port in Iran, Indian ambassador says. EU welcomes Armenia-Azerbaijan “progress” The EU has welcomed “progress” made in the framework of the Armenia-Azerbaijan border delimitation process. Belarus opposition leader slams Lukashenko for Karabakh trip Belarusian opposition politician Sviatlana Tsikhanouskaya has harshly criticized the visit of Lukashenko to Karabakh. |