1.   The release has been brokered by Libya, which has sent a plane to fly the captives to Tripoli before they are sent home.

2.   Following their release Saturday night, they were shown on Russian national television shaking hands with Salman Raduyev, a former Chechen field commander who reportedly brokered their release.

3.   They often serve as informal shuttle diplomats, carrying messages and brokering the release of kidnap victims.

4.   They said a member of the Saudi royal family brokered his release from prison and exile to Saudi Arabia.

5.   They were shown on television shaking hands with Salman Raduyev, a former Chechen field commander who reportedly brokered their release.