Liberated FARC hostage Pablo Emilio Moncayo is trying to flee Colombia because he and his family have received death threats by telephone and over the Internet.
The former hostage’s father, Gustavo Moncayo, who campaigned for his son’s release while he was in FARC captivity, told Caracol Radio that his family have sought asylum for their son from the French government. As yet they have not received a reply to their request.
Gustavo Moncayo said the death threats have been reported to Colombian authorities but have not been addressed. He said that his son is defenseless and in danger while he remains in Colombia.
The FARC released Pablo Emilio at the end of March, after twelve years in captivity.
Pablo Emilio came under fire following his release because he refused to thank then-President Alvaro Uribe for aiding in his liberation, because to do so would have made him “a hypocrite.”
At the beginning of August the Moncayo family said they planned to travel to Italy because they had received death threats.
In the interview with Caracol Radio Gustavo Moncayo did not explain why this plan had changed.
