Italy hails "hero" murdered hostage

[mobuto]

By Crispian Balmer

ROME (Reuters) - An Italian hostage killed in Iraq is being hailed as a hero who in his last moments told his kidnappers defiantly: "I'm going to show you how an Italian dies."

Fabrizio Quattrocchi, one of four Italian security guards abducted earlier this week, was shot dead on Wednesday after Italy refused to bow to the kidnappers' demands and withdraw some 3,000 troops stationed in Iraq.

Italian Foreign Minister Franco Frattini said a video recording of the killing showed that Quattrocchi was hooded when his kidnappers put a gun to his head.

"When the murderers were pointing a pistol at him, this man tried to take off his hood and shouted: 'Now I'm going to show you how an Italian dies'. And they killed him," Frattini said.

--continued--

http://www.reuters.co.uk/newsPackageArticle.jhtml?type=topNews&storyID=493845§ion=news

[Fenris]

1. If true

THAT is one Hell of a way to go out.

[mobuto]

3. Supposedly there's a video

the terrorists made which they sent to Al Jazeera. Al Jazeera refused to run it. Apparently this is from that video. Having no desire to watch a snuff film, I can't confirm it.

[mobuto]

5. By the way

"Quattrocchi" means "four eyes". Only the Italians...

[devilgrrl]

7. Hey watch it!!!

Don't be ripping on us guineas! Besides, I knew a "Quattrocchi" and he was a GOOD man!!!

:silly:

Anyway, I'm sorry that guy died the way he did. Another victim of The Bush Crime Family.

[Mike Daniels]

10. No, a victim of the murdering bastards who executed him on camera

Sorry, but the ones who did this are totally responsible for this man's death. Whatever reason for his being there didn't warrant him being executed in cold blood.

[devilgrrl]

17. Uh, no... a victim of the Bush Crime Family

Had the Bush Crime Family not gone there in the first place, that man wouldn't have gotten killed!

:argh:

[sniffa]

2. hero?

[Mike Daniels]

6. Defiant to the end vs.

being a sniveling weepy person begging for their life from people who obviously aren't going to honor the request?

I don't know that he's necessarily a hero but the man went down as close to fighting as one can in that circumstance.

[leftistagitator]

9. A definite bad-ass

He may not be a hero, but damn, you gotta respect his courage.

[leftynyc]

12. A hero in my eyes

The man had courage in the face of death. I hope this comforts his family in even a small way. My heart goes out to them.

[leanings]

4. Yep.

Regardless of anything else you wanna say, the man did have grit.

[JohnLocke]

8. He is a true hero.

"I'm going to show you how an Italian dies."
-- Fabrizio Quattrocchi

[daleo]

11. "Let's roll"

This could be true, but it could be feel good propaganda from the Italian government, in an effort to prop up support for the war. I would trust it more if there was independent confirmation, although I wouldn't want the video to be shown on TV.

[Coventina]

13. Cowards

Anyone killing someone bound and hooded is a coward.

[pretzel4gore]

16. so true...

problem is, the well is poisoned. a video that excites the tribal solidarity of an enemy surely wouldn't be allowed....would it?
dammit, if the iraqis are guilty of murder, then so are bushco. before you hunt down some maddened iraqi 'hatriots' go after the breeding ground of terror and misinfo first, then go after the lawless thugs who subsequently feel safe to commit atrocity!

[Coventina]

18. oh, believe me, I consider Bushco cowards as well.

Or, in their case, the correct term would be "Chicken-hawks"!

[Vladimir]

14. Plenty of brave criminals around

doesn't make him a hero.

V

[JohnLocke]

20. He's a criminal now, is he?

Do explain. :eyes:

[Vladimir]

22. He is participating

in an illegal occupation of a sovereign country. Yeah, that makes him a criminal. It doesn't mean that he deserved what happened to him, but as I have said on many occasions, anyone who goes to make money in Iraq ought to recognise and accept the risks.

Was he brave - yes. Is he a hero - hardly.

V

[w4rma]

15. And another good man is dead. (nt)

[VolcanoJen]

19. Hero... albeit, a tragic one.

I can't even begin to imagine what it must feel like to look into the eyes of your assassin, in preparation for death.

Fabrizio died unjustly, and I don't blame Bush for it, either. I know it may seem perverted and twisted to many of us here, but Fabrizio is one of the few figures in this horrific war that I can say I actually admire. His bravery in the face of death is inspiring, tragic, saddening, and maddening, all at the same time.

It is a sad day for Italy, and a sad day for humanity.

[MrSlayer]

21. Much honor to him.

He showed incredible guts and defiance and died with extreme honor. I salute him.