Americas News

Leftist Colombian rebels hand over proof of life of nine hostages

Aug 31, 2009, 21:06 GMT

Bogota - The Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) on Monday handed over proof of life of six police officers and three soldiers they have been holding hostages, in some cases for more than 10 years. Marleni Orjuela, president of the Colombian Association of Relatives of Kidnapped Police Officers (Asfamipaz), said that relatives received nine videos Monday from Senator Piedad Cordoba - who has for years been involved in mediation efforts with FARC - in northern Bogota. Orjuela said that the videos, each lasting about three minutes, show that two police officers have been held in chains for over two years. The messages in the videos were to be made public after their relatives accessed them. The leftist FARC said in April that they were willing to release two soldiers and hand over the body of a police officer who died in captivity in 2006. FARC have been fighting the state for more than 45 years. They have been pushed back by determined action under conservative President Alvaro Uribe, but have so far rejected negotiations and refused to renounce violence.

Americas News

Leftist Colombian rebels hand over proof of life of nine hostages

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