NEW : The freed hostage is expected back in Italy on Wednesday -- media reports . A man who was kidnapped by the Islamic State group and held for nearly a year has been released after being freed, Italian officials said Wednesday. Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb seized her near the Niger border .
NEW : The freed hostage is expected back in Italy on Wednesday -- media reports . The tourist was kidnapped in Algeria in February 2011 . Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb seized her near the Niger border .