Australian authorities probe FARC rebel links: report
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European and Australian authorities have opened an investigation into the overseas links of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) rebel group, Bogota newspaper El Tiempo reported on Sunday (local time).
Investigators are eyeing four Spaniards, two Italians, a Dane and an Australian for their ties to FARC, who have been behind drug trafficking and hundreds of kidnappings over four decades fighting the Colombian Government, according to El Tiempo.
The Dane is connected to the establishment in Sweden of the Anncol news agency, which FARC uses to distribute its messages, it said.
In Italy, police have identified a person believed to be the FARC representative, El Tiempo said.
It also reported that investigators have called on Interpol to help track down an Australian suspect.
The investigation follows the arrest in late July by Spanish police of a 57-year-old Spanish woman who is allegedly the leader of FARC's Spanish cell.
Maria Remedios Garcia Albert was arrested at her home in San Lorenzo de El Escorial, north east of Madrid, police announced on July 26.
Spain's interior ministry said Garcia Albert had provided logistical support for FARC and had direct contact with Raul Reyes, the FARC number two who was killed by Colombian troops inside Ecuador earlier this year.
- AFP
