The EU said Thursday that it was
backing Italy in its bid to get Gabriele Del Grande, a reporter
and documentary maker arrested in Turkey, released as soon as
possible.
"The EU acted to support the action of the Italian ambassador
in Ankara, to support the action of the foreign ministry and the
Italian government towards the Turkish authorities," Foreign
Affairs High Representative Federica Mogherini said, saying "we
co-ordinated with Italy from the start".
Meanwhile Del Grande's partner Alexandra D'Onofrio told la
Repubblica newspaper that he had been arrested "just because he
speaks with refugees".
She said "he goes with a backpack on his back and chats, he
spends hours speaking with people in their language, he doesn't
go looking for scoops but for things that will make us think."
Italy was also offered help by the German foreign ministry,
which has a reporter of its own held in Turkey since February,
Deniz Yucel.
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