The Taliban in Afghanistan has said it has killed an Afghan reporter who was abducted last month with an Italian journalist.
The group said it had killed Ajmal Naqshbandi because the government had refused to meet their demands to release senior figures from prison.
The Italian reporter, Daniele Mastrogiacomo, was released after five Taliban members were freed in exchange.
Mr Naqshbandi had been working as an interpreter for the Italian.
The Italian news outlet Peace Reporter however has cast doubt on the reported execution by Taliban militants of the Afghan reporter.
They say they have no confirmation through their own sources and said the announcement of the execution could be a way to exert pressure.
Peace Reporter is linked to the Italian humanitarian group Emergency, which was the go-between in negotiations for the release last month of Italian journalist Daniele Mastrogiacomo.
Notarianni noted that the Taliban had set an ultimatum of Monday for executing Ajmal Naqshbandi.
Shohaabuddin Atal, spokesman for top Taliban military commander Mullah Dadullah, said Naqshbandi was executed Sunday afternoon because the Afghan authorities refused to negotiate over their demands for the release of some Taliban militants.
