The Italian government has not given details of how Mariani 's freedom was secured . 2011 : The freed hostage is arriving back in Italy on Wednesday -- CNN News . The tourist was kidnapped in Niger in August 2011 . Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb seized her near the Niger border .
2011 : The freed hostage is arriving back in Italy on Wednesday -- CNN News . The tourist was kidnapped in Niger in August 2011 . Al Qaeda in the Islamic Mahgreb seized her near the Niger border .