NEW : `` I join in their great joy and relief for this wonderful news , '' he said in a written statement . 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 . 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 .