A British oil worker who was kidnapped while working in Colombia almost two years ago has been released by his captors, the British Foreign Office said tonight.
Mr Alistair Taylor (47) from Aberdeen was flown today to Bogota where he was met by his brother Charlie, embassy officials, and representatives of his company.
Mr Taylor, who was seized by National Liberation Army (ELN) guerrillas on August 27 1999, was reported to be in "good spirits" following his release early today, a Foreign Office spokeswoman said.
She said: "Mr Taylor was released in the early hours of this morning, our time, by his kidnappers, who handed him over to a representative of the company he works at a location in the Aranca department in the east of Colombia.
"He was flown to Bogota where he was met by representatives from our embassy and his employers, as well as his brother. He is undergoing medical checks to ensure he is fit to travel and we expect him to return to the UK within the next few days."
She added: "Our embassy officials met him and he seems to be in good spirits."
PA