Luiz Diaz's father liberated as Liverpool star's family rejoice after Colombian kidnapping hell ends

Luiz Diaz's father is claimed to have been returned safely after 12 days as a hostage in Colombia.

Luiz Manuel Diaz was kidnapped on Saturday October 28 with his wife, Clienis Marulanda, in their homeland by armed men on motorcycles. Mrs Marulanda was found safe but shaken but Mr Diaz has been with the kidnappers since the terrifying incident. It's sparked a huge search and rescue mission with around 200 members of the police force assigned to the case over nearly a fortnight.

Liverpool star Diaz missed two games but returned at the weekend against Luton, scoring and dedicating his goal to seal a 1-1 draw to his missing father. Father Diaz's release is following the Colombian government's Peace Delegation identification of the National Liberation Army (ELN) as those who were responsible for the kidnapping. The long-standing group were handed a demand and told that they must return the 58-year-old with the "responsibility to guarantee his life and integrity." Videos from South America on Thursday showed members of the United Nations humanitarian mission and the Catholic Church boarding a civil helicopter.

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