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		</div><p>A right-wing politician has apologised for calling a young Italian woman who converted to Islam while held hostage in Somalia a “neo-terrorist”.</p>
<p>Alessandro Pagano of the anti-migrant League party said in a Facebook post that he had intended to criticise the government, not Silvia Romano, with his remarks in the lower house of parliament.</p>
<p>Mr Pagano drew outrage and a reprimand from fellow politicians and the Vatican on Wednesday after he referred to Ms Romano while complaining about the government’s refusal to reopen churches during the coronavirus lockdown.</p>
<p>Mr Pagano alleged there is a “strong anti-religious bent” in Italy’s coalition government, “and yet when a neo-terrorist comes back …”</p>
<p>It was a reference to the decision by the Italian premier and foreign minister to greet Ms Romano at Rome’s Ciampino airport on Sunday, and apparent willingness to pay ransom to her captors.</p>
<p>Ms Romano, 24, was freed after 18 months as a hostage of Somalia’s al-Shabab Islamic extremists.</p>
<p>She returned to Italy wearing the green hijab typical of Somali Muslim women, and told prosecutors she had freely converted during her ordeal.</p>
<p>Her return, however, has unleashed waves of anti-Islam hate speech on social media, criticising her conversion, her decision to work as a volunteer in Kenya and the ransom paid for her freedom.</p>
<p>Mr Pagano said his remarks were directed at the government, saying the ransom payment and high-profile welcome for Ms Romano was a propaganda victory for al-Shabab.</p>
<p>He expressed “maximum solidarity” with Ms Romano.</p>
<p>“If I offended some sensitivities, I apologise,” he said.</p>
<p>League leader Matteo Salvini tried to downplay Mr Pagano’s comments: saying “Let’s leave Silvia alone, as we wish her a long and happy life.”</p>
<p>Mr Salvini, who is known for his anti-migrant, anti-Muslim rhetoric, wrote on Facebook: “Let’s look instead at the true enemy, the true danger to our children, Italy, the world and freedom: Fanatical, integralist, violent and assassin Islam.”</p>
<p>Ms Romano, for her part, has reportedly urged Italians to stop “getting angry to defend me”.</p>
<p>“The worst for me is over, let’s enjoy this moment together,” she wrote to friends on a closed Facebook account, according to the Ansa news agency.</p>
<p>She said she was happy to be able to embrace her family and friends and thanked “all those friends, known and unknown, who dedicated a thought to me”.</p>
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