Mastrogiacomo merupakan wartawan kedua Itali disandera di Afganistan sejak November, sewaktu jurupotret lepas Gabriele  Torsello dibebaskan tiga pekan sesudah disergap di daerah rusuh Helmand oleh kelompok bersenjata.
Mastrogiacomo is the second Italian reporter being held hostage in Afghanistan since November, when freelance photographer Gabriele Torsello was freed three weeks after being abducted in the restive Helmand area by gunmen.