Milan, 24 April (LaPresse) – " I am and always will be incredibly grateful to everyone who worked tirelessly for my release when I was taken hostage by an armed faction in Iraq this month. So many people – including, but not limited to, government officials, press freedom organisations and my wonderful community of fellow journalists and friends – went to immense lengths to ensure my case continued to receive significant attention. My heartfelt thanks to you all." This was written in a post on X by journalist Shelly Kittleson, who was kidnapped on 31 March by the Iranian-backed Iraqi militia Kataib Hezbollah, and whose release was announced on 7 April.