Press TV (Iran) reports the FARC ransom story

This story has already been noted in the blogosphere. Iran's buying it:

Swiss radio alleges that two FARC guards were paid millions to turn against the rebel group and free Ingrid Betancourt and 14 other hostages.

The 15 hostages released Wednesday "were in reality bought for a high price, and the whole operation afterwards was a set-up," the radio's French-language channel said on Friday quoting a 'reliable source', AFP reported.

The United States with three citizens at stake was the main player behind the 20-million-dollars deal.

According to the radio's foreign desk editor Pierre Bavaud, the money was a bribe to incite two of the hostages' guards to betray the group, rather than a ransom paid to FARC.

The guards, who were evacuated alongside Betancourt, were expected to be granted amnesty in another country.

"It's a turn-around. There is a special fund in Colombia of some 100 million dollars to turn the FARC rebels," Bavaud said. [...]

I bet they're relieved to learn that the supposed World Arrogance victory was illusory.

Tags: Iran, FARC, Colombia