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20:36 GMT
WASHINGTON, Dec 14 (KUNA) -- A Dutch woman and 17 other members of the
Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) designated foreign terrorist
organization were indicted by a federal grand jury here today on seven counts
of terrorism and weapons charges arising out of their participation in the
hostage-taking of three American citizens in the Republic of Colombia, the
Justice Department announced here Tuesday.
The Department said in a statement that the indictment charges Tanja
Anamary Nijmeijer, 32, who moved to Colombia and joined the FARC in 2002 and
the other 17 defendants "with one count of conspiracy to commit hostage
taking, three substantive counts of hostage taking, one count of using and
carrying a firearm during a crime of violence and two counts of conspiracy to
provide material support to terrorists and a designated foreign terrorist
organization."
The three former hostages, identified as Marc Gonsalves, Keith Stansell and
Thomas Howes, were held in the Colombian jungle by members of the FARC for
more than five years, until their rescue by Colombian military forces in July
2008.
"Today's indictment demonstrates our firm resolve to bring to justice every
last FARC commander who played any part in this brutal act of terrorism," US
Attorney for the District of Columbia Ronald Machen said.
For his part, John Gillies, Special Agent in Charge, of the FBIs Miami
Division said that the FARC "has authorized the use of violence and attacks
against American citizens to forward their mission of terrorism."
"Today's indictment represents the continuing commitment of the FBI to
fully investigate and to bring to justice terrorists throughout the world who
harm citizens of the United States," he stressed.
Todays charging document represents the fifth indictment issued in the
District of Columbia against various FARC members involved in the kidnappings,
the Justice Department indicated. (end)
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