Colombian gov't to free 30 FARC prisoners

Colombia's government confirmed on Monday it will soon release an initial group of 16 imprisoned members of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) guerrilla group to bolster ongoing peace talks.

The rebels will be released this week, following the pardoning of some 30 FARC prisoners doing time for relatively minor crimes, such as illegal possession of weapons or communications gear for the exclusive use of the armed forces.

"Before the end of January, the government expects to release the remaining 14 pardoned," Minister of Justice Yesid Reyes told National Radio station, adding no FARC leaders are among those being released.

The gesture sends a strong message of trust as the FARC and the government try and wrap up peace talks in Havana, Cuba, aimed at ending the protracted decades-old conflict.

"This pardon was adopted as a gesture to build trust between the government and the FARC," President Juan Manuel Santos said in November.

FARC guerrillas on Sunday asked the government to also release incarcerated rebels suffering from health problems.

"In this crucial stage of the peace process, we ask the national government for a new trust-building gesture, an additional step of de-escalation with a clear humanitarian purpose, to release guerrilla members and leaders who are suffering from serious health problems," a guerrilla statement said.

Reyes said he had no information about rebels with health problems in jail. Endit