Colombian rebels release captive politician

[Judi Lynn]

Source: ABC (Australia)

Colombian rebels release captive politician
Posted 43 minutes ago

Colombia's FARC rebels have freed a politician held hostage for more than seven years in the second release this week by Latin America's longest-running insurgency, the Red Cross says.

A Brazilian army helicopter ferried an International Committee of the Red Cross team into Colombia's jungle to bring back Alan Jara, a former provincial governor kidnapped by FARC guerrillas in 2001.

The FARC freed three captive police officers and a soldier on Sunday and another hand-over is planned for later this week, fuelling speculation that the leftist rebels are trying to regain political capital after a year of military setbacks.

The ex-governor was one of two remaining politicians in FARC captivity and part of a group of around 20 high-profile hostages the rebels say they want to swap for jailed fighters.

Read more: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2009/02/04/2481738.htm?section=justin