No one was hurt in the event.
The hostage taker was Francesco Amato, a convicted member of the ‘Ndrangheta mafia, Italy's largest and most powerful organised crime group.
On October 31, Amato was sentenced to 19 years in prison for his role in criminal activities with ‘Ndrangheta, as part of the ongoing “Aemilia” police operation probing the presence of the Calabrian mafia in the Emilia-Romagna region.
He has been on the run since the sentencing.
Amato allegedly entered the post office, saying "I'm the one who got 19 years in Aemilia".
He then threatened those present, saying "I'm going to kill you all", before taking five women hostage, one of whom was released after she felt faint.
Following police arrival, a long period of negotiations ensued, which eventually resulted in the police being allowed in.
When they reappeared with Amato, they were given a round of applause by those present.
Reggio Emilia provincial Carabinieri commander, Colonel Cristiano Desideri said in a statement that negotiations were successful due to “time, patience, and convincing him that he could never obtain that which he was requesting”.
Amato was allegedly seeking a meeting with Interior Minister Matteo Salvini.
"He opened the door, let the hostages out and then handed himself over to us," Desideri said.
The siege lasted eight hours.
Since last week’s conclusion of the “Aemelia” trial, 118 sentences have been handed down, totalling over 1,200 years in jail.
