Colombia: Two soldiers freed by ELN

22-04-2008 News release 08/69

Bogotá (ICRC) – On 21 April two soldiers held since 9 March by the National Liberation Army (ELN) were released into the care of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) in the rural area of Anorí, Antioquia.

The operation, which followed a request made by the ELN to the ICRC, took place with the assistance of a Colombian airborne health service, the Programa Aéreo de Salud.

The ICRC stands ready to support any efforts to put in place mechanisms that could facilitate the release of other detainees and hostages still in the hands of armed groups.

For further information, please contact:
Yves Heller, ICRC Bogotá, tel: +57 1 313 8630 or +57 1 311 491 0789
Marçal Izard, ICRC Geneva, tel: +41 22 730 2458 or +41 79 217 3224