"Now I’m going to show you how an Italian dies."

[Reciprocity]

AN ITALIAN hostage killed in Iraq was hailed yesterday as a hero who in his last moments told his kidnappers defiantly: "I’m going to show you how an Italian dies."

Fabrizio Quattrocchi, one of four Italian security guards abducted this week, was shot dead on Wednesday after Italy refused to bow to the kidnappers’ demands and withdraw its 3,000 troops from Iraq.

The Italian foreign minister, Franco Frattini, said a video recording of the shooting showed Mr Quattrocchi was hooded when his kidnappers put a gun to his head.
"When the murderers were pointing a pistol at him, this man tried to take off his hood and shouted: ‘Now I’m going to show you how an Italian dies.’ And they killed him," Mr Frattini said. "He died a hero."
http://thescotsman.scotsman.com/international.cfm?id=427742004

What a man. Defiant and unbowed he died on his terms not theirs.
Rest in peace Fabrizio.