51.   The two released hostages had been held for more than six months and a large ransom had been demanded, Chechen Security Minister Aslanbek Arsayev told Interfax.

52.   They are also expected to demand a large ransom at a later time.

53.   Zamora says de la Cruz said she was later shifted to another rebel group that has been seeking a large ransom for her.

54.   Zamora says de la Cruz said she was later shifted to another rebel group that was seeking a large ransom for her.

55.   A German and a Swiss tourist were seized Monday by kidnappers who demanded a large ransom, the Costan Rican public security ministry reported.

56.   Two Spanish businessmen were freed here on Friday in exchange for a large ransom.

57.   Mayerbek said several Chechen families had been obliged to pay large ransoms to secure the release of relatives who had been rounded up as rebel suspects.

58.   Police said the kidnappers had demanded a large ransom from the family.

59.   Pope John Paul II pleaded Sunday for the freeing of victims of kidnapping, a method often used by the Mafia to obtain large ransoms.