French Foreign Legion Corporal held by dissidents in Colombia

A dissident group from Colombia’s former Revolutionary Armed
Forces of Colombia (FARC), the “Estado Mayor Central” (EMC), has
claimed responsibility for the abduction of José Olger Melo Charry,
a Colombian corporal serving in the French Foreign Legion who has
been missing since August 6.

According to the EMC, the soldier was detained in the Cumbitara
area of Narino department and is in good health. The group referred
to him as a “prisoner of war” and warned that any potential
military operation could put his life at risk.

Melo Charry has served in the French Army’s Foreign Legion for
nearly four years. He disappeared while on leave in Colombia.

France’s Ministry of Defence said it was closely monitoring the
situation, while Colombian authorities have launched an
investigation.

It was also noted that a woman who was with the soldier was also
taken by armed men but was released several hours later.

The French Foreign Legion is an elite branch of the French Army
whose ranks are made up largely of foreign volunteers from dozens
of countries. Its soldiers can be deployed alongside other French
forces on operations overseas.

Image: Nicolas Tucat / AFP

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