ROME, Nov 4 (Reuters) - An Italian journalist released in Afghanistan after three weeks of captivity returned to Italy on Saturday.

Gabriele Torsello, a 36-year-old, London-based photojournalist taken by armed men from a public bus in the most dangerous part of the country, landed in Rome on an Italian government plane a day after his kidnappers freed him.

"I am well. Thank you, Italy," he said to reporters at Rome's Ciampino airport.

He was taken to Rome's courts to be questioned by magistrates who are investigating his kidnapping.

Five gunmen seized Torsello on Oct. 12 from a bus on the highway from the capital of Helmand province to neighbouring Kandahar province, both Taliban strongholds and major opium centres.

Afghan police said Torsello was held by the Taliban, but the group denied any involvement, blaming criminals instead.

Italian officials have denied paying a ransom for his release.

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