Mauro Donato, an Italian
photoreporter released on Thursday after 21 days in a Serbian
jail, said on Friday that he had been in "a hell".
"It's an experience I hope to never go through again," Donato
told a press conference at the Rome offices of Italian
journalists union FNSI.
Donato was accused of robbery aggravated by the use of
violence - charges he denies.
"I am glad to be here with you," added a visibly moved
Donato, who was in Serbia working on a piece on the condition of
migrants with a colleague.
"Thanks to all of you who made an effort for me.
"I felt a profound sense of alienation in prison.
"You don't know what's happening outside, who is working for
you.
"I didn't even know why I was in jail. They made me sign a
Cyrillic-alphabet statement and they arrested him".
Donato's lawyer Alessandra Ballerini said she was still
working on the case as, although the reporter has been released,
the Serbian investigation has not been closed.
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