This is a new twist, the master of puppets is pulling some strings
Al-Arabiya TV has broadcast a new tape, purportedly from militants threatening to kill three Italians held in Iraq. The Arabic channel reported that the captors said they would release the hostages if protests were held in Italy against the country's presence in Iraq.
http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/middle_east/3660655.stm