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Betancourt undergoes health tests Betancourt's medical 'reassuring'
(about 6 hours later)
Ingrid Betancourt, the former hostage sprung from the grip of Colombia's Farc rebels this week, has checked into a hospital in Paris for medical tests. Initial results of medical tests on Ingrid Betancourt after her six years as a hostage of Colombian rebels have been "reassuring," her sister has said.
The checks are to establish whether she is suffering any health complications after her six years in the jungle. The checks were to reveal how the years the French-Colombian politician spent in the jungle had affected her health.
Pictures that emerged earlier this year showed Ms Betancourt looking frail. She was said to have suffered ill health, including suspected hepatitis. Pictures that emerged earlier this year showed Ms Betancourt looking frail. She is currently in Paris, where she flew following her release on Wednesday.
Meanwhile, Colombia has released video footage of the daring rescue operation.Meanwhile, Colombia has released video footage of the daring rescue operation.
Ms Betancourt, a former Colombian presidential candidate, was freed along with 14 other hostages after their captors were apparently tricked into handing them over to army personnel disguised as independent agency staff. "The results of the first examinations are rather reassuring, but the doctor said she must absolutely take some rest because there could be reactions," her sister Astrid Betancourt told the French news agency AFP.
"We are awaiting the result of a final test and she should be leaving the hospital at the end of the afternoon," she added.
Ms Betancourt, 46, a former Colombian presidential candidate, entered the Val-de-Grace military hospital in Paris early on Saturday without speaking to journalists.
She was freed along with 14 other hostages after their captors were apparently tricked into handing them over to army personnel disguised as independent agency staff.
The Colombian government has denied rumours that a ransom was paid to free the hostages.The Colombian government has denied rumours that a ransom was paid to free the hostages.
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Footage of Ingrid Betancourt's rescueFootage of Ingrid Betancourt's rescue
On Friday Ms Betancourt - who grew up, studied and raised her family in France - was flown from Colombia to Paris on a French presidential plane.On Friday Ms Betancourt - who grew up, studied and raised her family in France - was flown from Colombia to Paris on a French presidential plane.
"I am so happy to breathe the air of France. I owe France everything," she said, after President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted her on the tarmac."I am so happy to breathe the air of France. I owe France everything," she said, after President Nicolas Sarkozy greeted her on the tarmac.
She said that she felt "in great shape".She said that she felt "in great shape".
"We had been waiting for this for so long," said Mr Sarkozy, who had made Ms Betancourt's release a top priority."We had been waiting for this for so long," said Mr Sarkozy, who had made Ms Betancourt's release a top priority.
INGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Colombia's continuing hostage painIn pictures: France hails BetancourtFrance's Betancourt infatuationINGRID BETANCOURT Born on 25 December 1961Grows up in Paris1989: Returns to Colombia1994: Elected to lower house1998: Becomes a senator2002: Kidnapped by Farc rebels Colombia's continuing hostage painIn pictures: France hails BetancourtFrance's Betancourt infatuation
Mr Sarkozy's physician, Christophe Fernandez, briefly examined Ms Betancourt in Bogota following her release and said he was "reassured", without ruling out a stay in hospital.
The Colombian government released video footage on Friday of the hostage rescue.The Colombian government released video footage on Friday of the hostage rescue.
The captives are seen wearing plastic handcuffs and looking dismayed as they are led on to a helicopter.The captives are seen wearing plastic handcuffs and looking dismayed as they are led on to a helicopter.
Later, it shows the captives' joyous reaction when they are told they are not being moved to another rebel camp, but have been rescued by the army.Later, it shows the captives' joyous reaction when they are told they are not being moved to another rebel camp, but have been rescued by the army.
In the interim, the hostages' guards were overpowered by soldiers on the helicopter.In the interim, the hostages' guards were overpowered by soldiers on the helicopter.
Colombian soldiers, posing as members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), filmed the operation.Colombian soldiers, posing as members of a non-governmental organisation (NGO), filmed the operation.
Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos denied reports that $20m had been paid to some Farc members to assist the operation.Colombian Defence Minister Juan Manuel Santos denied reports that $20m had been paid to some Farc members to assist the operation.
He also denied reports that Israeli and US agents had been involved in the operation, saying it had been "100% Colombian".He also denied reports that Israeli and US agents had been involved in the operation, saying it had been "100% Colombian".