Four Colombian police officers rescued from leftist rebels alongside Ingrid Betancourt are suffering from leishmaniasis and malaria, although the diseases are not life-threatening, doctors said Friday, according to dpa. The sick police officers have been admitted to the Central Police Clinic in Bogota. "It is to be expected that after a long captivity, some as much as 10 years, there may be psychological effects," said Colonel Mader Lujan, director of the Central Police Clinic. The doctor noted that the four officers are further suffering from parasites and respiratory problems. One-time Colombian presidential candidate Betancourt, who was held hostage for six years, confirmed Friday in Paris that she is set to undergo thorough medical tests in the French capital over the coming days. The three US contractors rescued Wednesday have travelled to the United States, where physicians said preliminary reports showed they suffered from no infectious diseases. The seven rescued Colombian military officers were admitted late Thursday into the Military Hospital in Bogota, where they are set to remain for a day before being released. According to the official version of events, the Colombian Army rescued the 15 hostages without firing one shot, after infiltrating the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC). Military officers posing as rebels staged a fake transfer of the hostages by helicopter and the rescue followed. Two rebels were arrested. Colombia, France and Betancourt have denied European media reports that the release was the result of an agreement between FARC and Colombian authorities, and that a ransom may have been paid.
