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Luis Manuel Diaz, 58, was handed over to UN and Catholic Church officials after the communist National Liberation Army, known as the ELN, admitted it blundered in abducting him on October 28.<\/p>\n
Cilenis Marulanda, the mother of Anfield forward Luis, 26, was also seized by the armed raiders in the family\u2019s home town, Barrancas, but was released within hours.<\/p>\n
The kidnap sparked outrage in Colombia, where national team star Luis is immensely popular.<\/p>\n
READ MORE: <\/strong> First picture of Luis Diaz’s dad since release with Liverpool star’s father safe<\/strong><\/p>\n He had appealed for his father\u2019s release and Liverpool team-mates supported him by displaying his shirt during one match. When Luis scored against Luton Town on Sunday, he lifted his shirt to reveal the words \u201cfreedom for Papa\u201d in Spanish.<\/p>\n He said later: \u201cEvery second, every minute our anxiety grows.\u201d Last night reports said his father was taken by helicopter to the city of Valledupar for tests. Authorities said he showed no signs of mistreatment.<\/p>\n In tearful scenes, family members \u2013 most in Liverpool FC shirts \u2013 drove through Luis\u2019s neighbourhood to \u00adcelebrate. His cousin, Luis Alfonso, said: \u201cWe feel a great satisfaction, we are glad it\u2019s come to an end.\u201d<\/p>\n Don’t miss… <\/strong>
Luis Diaz’s dad freed as helicopter flies Liverpool star’s father out of jungle[FOOTBALL] <\/strong>
Jurgen Klopp offers sad reminder of Luis Diaz’s ‘struggles’ after Liverpool goal[FOOTBALL] <\/strong>
Diaz statement in full as Liverpool ace pleads for terrorists to release his dad[FOOTBALL] <\/strong><\/p>\n![](\"https:\/\/cdn.images.express.co.uk\/img\/dynamic\/78\/590x\/secondary\/5058513.jpg?r=1699569381142\")
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