‘Paraguayan People’s Army’ frees kidnapped rancher after 94 days in captivity
By APSunday, January 17, 2010
Paraguayan kidnappers free wealthy rancher
ASUNCION, Paraguay — The so-called Paraguayan People’s Army freed a wealthy rancher Sunday night after 94 days in captivity, a major victory for President Fernando Lugo, who said his government won’t rest until the kidnappers are brought to justice.
Recovering Fidel Zavala alive has been national cause since his kidnapping on Oct. 15.
“The job of recovering Fidel alive has been completed,” Lugo said. “Now this government will begin to work so that the criminals are put to justice.”
The Roman Catholic bishop-turned-president has been under particular pressure to resolve the case because some of the kidnappers attended his seminary or served as his altar boy in the years before they turned to crime.
Interior Minister Rafael Filizzola said he spoke with Zavala, who is now being protected by special forces in a secret location, and that he seemed to be in good spirits.
State prosecutor Ruben Candia said his agents have 30 search warrants ready to serve in the hunt for the kidnappers. It wasn’t clear whether the family agreed to a $5 million ransom, but they did agree to donate 30 cows to three impoverished communities.
