1.   Among their actions was the spectacular kidnapping of four American soldiers, who they later released without receiving the ransom they had demanded.

2.   Police arrested two motorcycle-riding men and their companions in a back-up car led by Air Force Maj. Ismael Ordegoso shortly after they received the ransom.

3.   Hampton testified at his trial that he had decided in advance to kill his hostage if police learned of the kidnapping before he received his ransom.

4.   However, a military source told the AP that rebels had already received a ransom and released Cowley before police arrived.

5.   The dailies La Jornada and Reforma reported that city traffic police arrested the men early Friday morning as they were trying to receive the ransom.

6.   The kidnappers were detained on Friday as they were receiving the ransom, the ministry said in a report carried by the Interfax news agency.

7.   The group has repeatedly insisted that Cordon was freed after the negotiated ransom was received in August, but the businessman never reappeared.

8.   The rebel commander also denied having received any ransom from the family.