BRIEFS. public safety

Farc prisoners moved due to security concerns

Five of the six alleged FARC members being held by the government have been transferred from El Renacer prison to a maximum security facility at Policía Nacional headquarters.

Prison Superintendent Luis Gordon said the transfer was made because of security concerns, and said that officials had received "sensitive information" that prompted their decision. He declined to be more specific about what information had been received.

The sixth prisoner, a woman, remains in custody in the country's women's prison.

The prisoners were taken into custody on Feb. 22 after a shootout with police off the coast of the Darién town of Jaqué. One officer was seriously injured in the gun battle, which started after officers approached a boat that had broken down.

Police have charged the defendants with assault and drug trafficking. The latter charge was filed because cocaine residue was found in the boat they were using.

A lawyer for the defendants attributed the transfer to the prisoners' proximity to José Nelson Urrego, a Colombian who is also being held at El Renacer.

Urrego, who had ties to FARC, had allegedly threatened the defendants, their lawyer said.

Gordon declined to comment on this allegation.