The Colombian press freedom group has said kidnapped journalist Romeo Langlois’ health may be at risk, ahead of his expected release Wednesday
Ignacio Gomez of the Foundation for Press Freedom (FLIP) said he is concerned about the health of the French reporter after the FARC guerrilla group released a proof of life video of their hostage to a Venezuelan news network, reported local media Monday.
“What we see in the video is that he is, at this time or at the time it was recorded on video, reiterating his civilian status and receiving medical care, as should be expected, but we still have to understand that it is combat medical care, not comprehensive medical care,” said Gomez.
Colombia’s largest rebel group FARC announced in a statement Sunday that it will release Langlois on Wednesday, May 30, just over one month after the French journalist was captured.
A French government envoy was expected to arrive in Colombia Monday as part of the team that will finalize the negotiations for Langlois’ release, which includes former Colombian senator Piedad Cordoba and is led by the International Committee of the Red Cross.
Langlois, a correspondent for France 24 television, went missing April 28 amid fighting between rebels and soldiers in the jungles of southern Colombia.
With a total of 131 journalists falling victims to some form of aggression in 2011, Colombia remains one of “the most dangerous places to practise journalism, especially for local journalists,” FLIP executive director Andres Morales has said.
