French Legionnaire escapes Colombian guerrillas after 4-day jungle trek

A French Foreign Legion soldier held hostage by guerrillas in Colombia escaped after overpowering his guard and jumping into a river with his hands bound, according to a military source on Tuesday. The 35-year-old then walked for four days before reaching a police station. On September 3, Jose Olger Melo Charry asked to be taken aside to relieve himself, then subdued his lone guard and seized his rifle despite being tied up. He jumped into a river, freed himself, and trekked through the Andes, hiding from passing motorcycles and eating once at a farmer's home, fearing betrayal. Charry, a corporal on leave, was kidnapped on August 6 by a dissident FARC group in Narino, a cocaine-trafficking hub. Considered a "high-value target," he was kept bound and no ransom was demanded. France's military ministry said he had not been authorized to travel to Colombia.