France, Aug. 31 -- The Central General Staff (EMC) - the main dissident faction to emerge from the now-defunct FARC guerrilla movement - confirmed on Sunday that its fighters had captured Corporal Jose Olger Melo Charry on 6 August in the department of Narino.

The mountainous region bordering Ecuador is a stronghold for armed groups that finance their activities through drug trafficking, illegal mining and other criminal enterprises.

EMC units "intercepted and took Corporal Jose Olger Melo Charry, an active member of the French Army and a member of the Foreign Legion, prisoner", the group said in a statement.

The authenticity of the communique was reportedly confirmed a Colombian police source.

"He is alive, in perfect health, and has...