Australian police searched the house of Colombian journalist and FARC
supporter Luis Almario, who’s living in Australia as a political
refugee, Australian media reported Friday.
The Colombian government accuses Almario of being a fundraiser and arms supplier for the leftist rebels. The journalist admits supporting the FARC and raising funds for Colombians, but denies being part of the FARC’s international network.
“(Arms traffic is) not my line of business, my business is journalistic,” Almario told Australian newspaper The Australian.
“All my life I’ve dedicated myself as an independent journalist to the Colombian problem,” he added.
According to Almario, Australian Federal Police urged him to accept 24-hour protection
because of threats against him, presumably from right-wing paramilitary
groups targeting those seen as FARC supporters, but the FARC supporter refuses.
“I’ve been able to live (safely in Australia as a political refugee) so
many years. It would be ridiculous to accept protection,” he said.
The FARC, unlike in the United States and European Union, is not listed as a terrorist organization in Australia.
