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    Sniffer dogs brought in as hunt for Luis Diaz’s dad closes in on gang’s jungle lair after Liverpool star breaks silence

    SNIFFER dogs have been brought in by Colombian police as they close in on the location of Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s kidnapped dad.Colombian authorities believe the lair of the kidnapping gang is located in the inhospitable jungle terrain of the Perija Mountains near the Venezuelan border.
    Cilenis Marulanda (left), mother of Liverpool’s Luis Diaz, demonstrates for her kidnapped husband in Barrancas, ColombiaCredit: AFP
    Police have brought in sniffer dogs to join the hunt for Luis Manuel Diaz in the Colombian jungleCredit: EPA
    Colombian authorities believe the lair of the kidnapping gang is located in the inhospitable jungle terrain of the Perija Mountains near the Venezuelan borderCredit: AFP
    Liverpool forward Luis Diaz has broken his silence following the kidnapping of his parents on SaturdayCredit: Rex
    Colombian police are confident that Diaz’s father and his captors are still in the country
    Two German Shepherd dogs called Laticha and Tekila have now joined the hunt and Colombian police chiefs say more will be introduced as they close in on Luis Manuel Diaz’s captors.
    The dogs are said to have been trained in detecting the smell of clothes, suggesting they have already been exposed to the scent of Diaz’s father.
    The country’s army have already been joined by an elite police anti-drugs commando squad specialising in complex jungle operations to find the 58-year-old.
    Now, Colombian National Police director William Rene Salamanca Ramirez has confirmed that sniffer dogs have joined the search.
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    He said: “There are two dogs with their guides.
    “Tekila and Leticha join the search to extend the capabilities the government has established with the police and military to locate the father of Luis Diaz.
    “We are initiating this activity now and more dogs will come to help us in this search.”
    He added: “These dogs have participated in important rescue operations in several places, including the jungle. That’s why they’re here.”
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    Local media are reporting police intelligence experts have identified seven key sites as part of an operation to stop the captors reaching Venezuela with their hostage.
    It is understood the hunt is focusing on the banks of rivers and streams in the inhospitable Perija Mountains – on the basis the gang need to be near water to survive.
    Fears had been mounting after Saturday’s kidnap, in which Diaz’s mum Cilenis Marulanda was also abducted before being rescued hours later, that the criminal gang had already reached Venezuela.
    But yesterday, General Salamanca said he was confident they were still in Colombia after choppering in elite counter-narcotics commanders to hunt them down.
    He insisted: “The information we have is that they are still in Colombian territory but the search is continuing.”
    Local reports say Luis Manuel’s captors are believed to be on foot, having dumped the motorbikes they used to evade capture on Saturday.
    A reward of up to 200million Colombian pesos, around £40,000, has been offered by the authorities for any information.
    On Tuesday afternoon, relatives, friends and well-wishers took to the streets of Barrancas, in the border region of La Guajira, to demand the liberation of “Mane”.
    It prompted Liverpool forward Diaz, who has been advised to stay in England, to break his public silence following Saturday’s kidnap of his parents.
    In a social media post, Diaz urged people to join the march shortly before it started.
    Alongside a picture of promotional poster, he said: “Take your candle to ignite the light of hope.”
    The march began at 5pm local time and finished at the home of Diaz’s parents.
    Locals decked out shopfronts with white balloons and prepared banners ahead of the protest.
    They read: “No Al Secuestro” and “Liberenlo Ya” – “No To Kidnap” and “Free Him Now”.
    Many children took part in the march holding up white balloons and wearing Colombian tops with Luis Diaz’s name and shirt number on it.
    A local armed with a loudspeaker asked the crowd of protestors: “What does Barrancas demand for Mane Diaz?”.
    He received the rapturous reply: “Libertad, Libertad, Libertad” (Freedom, Freedom, Freedom).
    Human Rights’ officials in Colombia have also urged the kidnappers to use their “humanitarian channels” to facilitate the swift release of Diaz’s father.
    The country’s Ombudsman Carlos Camargo called on the captors to respect his “integrity and life” as he begged them to contact regional assistants to find a way to resolve the dramatic situation.
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    “We reiterate the call to the captors of the father of our beloved soccer player ‘Lucho’ Díaz: respect his integrity and life'” Mr Camargo said.
    “We also make another call to you: contact our regional human rights’ defence teams to find a route that permits his prompt release, safe and sound.”
    Both of Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on Saturday but his mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was rescued shortly afterCredit: Supplied
    Gabriel Diaz, Luis Diaz’s uncle, participates in a sit-in with friends, family and locals asking for the release of his kidnapped brother in Barrancas, Colombia, on TuesdayCredit: EPA
    The protest march began at 5pm local time and finished at the home of Diaz’s parentsCredit: EPA
    Locals decked out shopfronts with white balloons and prepared banners ahead of the protestCredit: AFP More

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    Luis Diaz breaks his silence after dad kidnapped by gang as cops ‘close net’ on suspects & potential location revealed

    LUIS Diaz has broken his silence after his parents were kidnapped in Colombia last week, while his dad remains missing.The Liverpool star took to Instagram and urged his followers to “march for the release of Mane Diaz”.
    Luis Diaz took to Instagram to ask his followers to join the march for the release of his dad
    The Liverpool star’s parents were kidnapped in Colombia last weekCredit: Supplied
    The post explained to followers that the “whole community” was invited to “bring your candle to light the light of hope” as he urged his father’s captors to “release him now”.
    Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on Saturday night by armed gunmen at a gas station in their hometown of Barrancas, La Guajira, in the country’s northern region.
    The player’s mum, Cilenis Marulanda, was later rescued after being found in Barrancas on Saturday, but her husband is yet to be found.
    Yesterday, Colombia’s attorney general, Francisco Barbosa revealed Luis Manuel Diaz’s potential location and confirmed it is possible the winger’s father could be taken to Venezuela.
    READ MORE ON LUIS DIAZ
    He told reporters: “We have information that he could, at some point, be in Venezuela.
    “If he ends up crossing the border and he’s in Venezuela, we have to ask [Colombia] President Gustavo Petro… to help us with freeing Luis Diaz’s father.”
    The Attorney General added that he had contacted Diaz twice to provide the 26-year-old with updates on the investigation.
    Colombia President Gustavo Petro said “all the public forces have been deployed” to find Diaz’s father.
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    The police, alongside the Colombian military, were immediately mobilised as a full-scale operation to recover the pair was put in place on Saturday.
    In a statement, the army said it had set up roadblocks and deployed two motorised platoons, unmanned aircraft, helicopters, and a plane with radar in the search for his father.
    On Sunday, the director of the National Police, General William Rene Salamanca, announced a reward of “up to 200m pesos” (about £40,000) for any information that leads to the rescue of Diaz’s father.
    The Colombia Football Federation also issued a statement to the captors.
    It read: “We ask the captors of Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Luis F. Diaz, to release him immediately, without conditions. Football is peace. Luis, we are with you. Colombia is with you.”
    Colombian authorities have provided a major update in the search for the dad of Liverpool forward Luis DiazCredit: Rex More

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    Cops hunting for Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s kidnapped dad offer reward as elite commandos drafted in to scour jungle

    COPS hunting for Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s dad have offered a reward as the search to find the kidnapped parent continues.A reward of up to £40,000 has been offered by Colombian authorities for information as elite commandos scour the jungle in search for answers.
    Colombian authorities issued a £40,000 reward to help find Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s kidnapped fatherCredit: AFP
    Colombia’s elite Jungle Commandos are scouring the jungle in the Venezuelan borderCredit: Instagram / policiadecolombia
    Soldiers are simultaneously patrolling the area on foot by following road routes heading to VenezuelaCredit: Instagram / policiadecolombia
    Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on Saturday night by armed gunmen at a gas station in their home town of Barrancas, La Guajira, in Colombia’s northern region.
    Colombia’s top police chief says he is confident the captors are still in the country amid fears that the kidnappers had managed to smuggle the winger’s dad into Venezuela.
    But Colombia’s National Police director William Salamanca Ramirez insisted “the information we have is that they are still in Colombian territory but the search is continuing.”
    Luiz Manuel Diaz’s captors are on foot after dumping the motorbikes they used to evade capture, local media reported.
    More on the Diaz kidnapping
    The Liverpool player’s mum, Cilenis Marulanda, was later rescued after being found in Barrancas on Saturday, but her husband is yet to be found.
    It is understood that arrest warrants have been issued for several suspects after cops identified four of them.
    Colombia President Gustavo Petro said “all the public forces have been deployed” to find Diaz’s father.
    That includes two motorised platoons, unmanned aircraft, helicopters and a plane with radar in a full-scale search.
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    The country’s elite Jungle Commandos have been focusing on the Perija Mountains straddling the Colombian-Venezuelan border, which is covered by cloud forest.
    General Salamanca told local media late yesterday: “These men can be in areas like this for a fortnight with just one field ration.
    “They are trained and prepared for that.”
    Colombian Army soldiers are simultaneously patrolling the area on foot by following road routes heading to Venezuela.
    Colonel Giovanni Montanez said: “We are closing off roads in accordance with military intelligence and carrying out searches.”
    Locals in Barrancas are due to stage a protest march to demand the liberation of the footballer’s dad later today.
    Some of his relatives are expected to lead the march, but it was not clear if his mum would be taking part.
    It comes after the Liverpool winger, 26, was urged not to head back to his homeland amid safety concerns, the Mirror reports.
    Overnight, Luis Manuel Diaz’s relative Asmiris Brito said God was accompanying him.
    “God is with him, accompanying him, that’s the hope we have, that he returns safe and well,” he told local media.
    Alejandro Zapata, deputy director of Colombia’s National Police, indicated yesterday they were closing the net on the kidnap gang, but was not in a position to name names.
    He said, before reports of the arrest warrants emerged, that he wasn’t in a position to name names.
    But he said investigators were “clear about people who could be linked” to Saturday’s abduction of Luis Manuel Diaz and Cilenis Marulanda in their home town of Barrancas.
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    Mr Zapata confirmed investigators were treating the kidnap as a “premeditated crime” which had been meticulously planned.
    He added: “When something like this happens, it is generally not spontaneous and there has been previous planning, people that draw people to a certain place, that is, who place them somewhere so that others arrive and that’s what we are investigating.”
    Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was also taken but was later rescued after being found in the city of Barrancas the same nightCredit: Supplied
    The Liverpool winger, 26, was reportedly urged not to head back home for safety reasonsCredit: PA More

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    Major update in hunt for Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s kidnapped dad as potential location revealed after ‘bloody gunfight’

    A MAJOR update in the search for Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s kidnapped dad has emerged as Colombian authorities reveal his potential location.Colombia’s attorney general, Francisco Barbosa, confirmed it is possible the winger’s father Luis Manuel Diaz could be taken to Venezuela.
    Colombian authorities have provided a major update in the search for the dad of Liverpool forward Luis DiazCredit: Rex
    Luis Manuel Diaz has been missing since Saturday after being kidnapped by armed gunmen in ColombiaCredit: AFP
    Diaz’s mother, Cilenis Marulanda, was also taken but was later rescued after being found in the city of Barrancas the same nightCredit: Supplied
    Diaz’s parents were kidnapped on Saturday night by armed gunmen at a gas station in their home town of Barrancas, La Guajira, in the country’s northern region.
    The player’s mum, Cilenis Marulanda, was later rescued after being found in Barrancas on Saturday, but her husband is yet to be found.
    In a shocking update, Barbosa has now confirmed the potential whereabouts of Diaz’s father.
    He told reporters: “We have information that he could, at some point, be in Venezuela.
    Read more in Football
    “If he ends up crossing the border and he’s in Venezuela, we have to ask [Colombia] President Gustavo Petro … to help us with freeing Luis Diaz’s father.”
    The Attorney General added that he had contacted Diaz twice to provide the 26-year-old with updates on the investigation.
    Colombia President Gustavo Petro said “all the public forces have been deployed” to find Diaz’s father.
    The police and military were immediately mobilised as a full scale operation to recover the pair was put in place on Saturday.
    Most read in Football
    It comes after earlier reports suggested Diaz’s father was rescued during a police shoot-out that left two of the four kidnappers dead.
    A man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s dad and his wife had been heading to the home of a relative when they were taken hostage at a petrol station.
    Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday.
    “They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis.
    “There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
    “They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area.
    “The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”
    In a statement, the army said it had set up roadblocks and deployed two motorised platoons, unmanned aircraft, helicopters and a plane with radar in the search for his father.
    On Sunday, director of the National Police, General William Rene Salamanca, announced a reward of “up to 200m pesos” (about £40,000) for any information that leads to the rescue of Diaz’s father.
    The Colombia football federation also issued a statement to the captors.
    It read: “We ask the captors of Luis Manuel Diaz, father of Luis F. Diaz, to release him immediately, without conditions. Football is peace. Luis, we are with you. Colombia is with you.”
    Diaz was left out of Liverpool’s squad for their 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest in the Premier League on Sunday.
    Diogo Jota, who replaced the Colombian in the starting lineup, held up Diaz’s number seven shirt after scoring Liverpool’s first goal.
    Following the game, he said: “Luis was with us in the hotel then he went home. It’s a very hard situation and I don’t know how anyone would react if it happened to you.
    “He was going to play. I played instead of him and I showed him his shirt to show we’re with him and we hope everything works out.
    “It’s unimaginable to think a situation like this could happen. We can just support him and show him we’re with him.”
    Liverpool manager Jurgen Klopp dedicated the win to Diaz, saying they had won “for our brother”.
    Speaking on the sudden turn of events, Klopp said: “It’s a worrying situation for all of us and it was a pretty tough night.
    “I have never had that before. It’s a new experience I never needed.”
    “We heard late last night about it. We spoke to Luis, he wanted to go home.
    Read More on The Sun
    “Then we got the news with his mum, which is fantastic, and since then nothing really.”
    The club said before Sunday’s game that they were “aware of an ongoing situation” involving the family of Diaz, adding the player’s welfare “will continue to be our immediate priority”.
    Portuguese forward Diogo Jota held up Diaz’s shirt after scoring the opening goal in Liverpool’s 3-0 victory over Nottingham Forest on SundayCredit: EPA More

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    Cops still searching for Liverpool star Luis Diaz’s dad after terrifying kidnap in Colombia as mum rescued and freed

    COPS are continuing their search for Luis Diaz’s dad after he and the Liverpool star’s mum were kidnapped in Colombia before she was freed.It comes after earlier reports suggested Luis Manuel Diaz was rescued during a police shootout that left two of his captors dead.
    Luis Diaz’s dad has reportedly been rescued after his parents were kidnapped in Colombia
    Luis Diaz in action for Liverpool in August 2022Credit: Getty
    The Liverpool FC striker’s parents were taken hostage on Saturday near their home in Barrancas, Colombia.
    It comes after his mum, Cilenis Marulanda, was freed from her captors and was pictured overnight enjoying a tearful reunion with relatives, with Diaz’s dad still reportedly missing.
    Liverpool FC released a statement today confirming it was aware of the ongoing situation involving Diaz’s parents.
    “It is our fervent hope that the matter is resolved safely and at the earliest possible opportunity,” they said.
    READ MORE ON LUIZ DIAZ
    “In the meantime, the player’s welfare will continue to be our immediate priority.”
    Liverpool boss Jurgen Klopp said it was a “worrying situation for all of us”.
    Colombian police have announced that they are prepared to reward anyone who will provide crucial information into the kidnapping of Diaz’s dad with £40,000.
    William Rene Salamanca Ramirez, the director general of Colombia’s National Police force, was today filmed speaking with the 26-year-old winger on his mobile phone from an undisclosed location in La Guajira where he travelled to after the kidnap took place.
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    He told the footballer, referring to him by his nickname of Lucho: “Dear Lucho, you’re talking to William Salamanca the director of Colombia’s National Police.
    “I am here in La Guajira on the orders of Colombia’s President to lead and supervise the operation to rescue your father.
    “Last night we managed to rescue your mother and she is safe and well.
    “We are here and using all the air and land resources available with the support of the Colombian Army”.
    The police chief spoke to the Liverpool player after Colombia’s Ambassador to the UK Roy Barreras described the kidnap of Luis’ parents as “miserable” and said their liberation was being seen as a “national priority.”
    He said in a direct message to the captors after it was confirmed Cilenis had been rescued but Luis Manuel Diaz was still missing amid fears he was already in Venezuela: “Mr kidnappers: In addition to a heinous crime, you have committed a terrible mistake!
    “You have offended the flag of Colombia, the shirt that I am sure you have also worn to shout the goals of the Colombian National Team that unites us all.
    “You still have time. Avoid a greater tragedy. It will turn out badly for you! Correct the error Free Lucho Díaz’s father now.”
    The Colombian army said in a post on X, formerly Twitter, on Saturday: “Army troops support the search operation for the parents of soccer player Luis Díaz, who apparently are victims of kidnapping.”
    Diaz has not been included in Liverpool’s squad to face Nottingham Forest on Sunday.
    Local media in the La Guajira region earlier reported the footballer’s dad had been freed following a shootout with police which resulted in the deaths of two of the four kidnappers.
    The incident is said to have happened near an area called Los Barrancones as the captors headed towards Colombia’s border with Venezuela.
    They reportedly had the intention of smuggling him into the neighbouring country.
    But there has not yet been any official confirmation, however, that Luis Diaz’s dad has been rescued.
    The reports emerged as a man described as the best friend of Luis Manuel Diaz told a Colombian radio station the footballer’s dad and his wife had been heading to the home of a relative when they were taken hostage at a petrol station.
    Victor Medina said: “It was 5.30pm local time on Saturday.
    “They had filled up with petrol and then went to a neighbourhood nearby to collect something from a relative of Celinis.
    “There the captors arrived, four men on motorbikes.
    “They threatened them with weapons, made them get into the same vehicle and sped off with the other two on a motorbike tailing them. They headed for a rural area.
    “The authorities were informed and there was a chase.”
    Responding to claims there was an exchange of gunfire before Cilenis was rescued, Medina said: “I haven’t had the chance to speak to her yet.
    “It’s a difficult situation. She’s back at home with doctors because we know she arrived quite distressed after what has been a trauma for her.
    “We’re just waiting for everything to calm down a bit before we speak with her.”
    He added: “Luis Manuel Diaz is a person who is much loved in Barrancas and there’s never been any talk of threats.
    “He and his family are highly appreciated in this municipality and that is why he always felt calm and safe here.
    “But there is always going to be someone who wants to harm a family, a family which is bringing a lot of glory and a lot of recognition to Barrancas.
    “The general public rejects acts like this targeting a much-loved and respected family in our municipality.”
    Diaz is Colombia’s biggest star and has scored nine goals in 43 appearances for the national side.
    His father previously revealed the Liverpool ace suffered from an illness which caused him to lose a dangerous amount of weight.
    The tricky winger went from “chubby” to extremely skinny which could’ve cost him his life.
    Diaz was born and raised in the heartland of Colombia’s largest indigenous community.
    His football skills impressed scouts, including Colombia legend Carlos Valderrama.
    After scoring seven goals at the 2015 Copa Sudamericana de Pueblos Indigenas, Diaz’s career began to take off.
    Read More on The Sun
    Atletico Junior sent him on loan to Barranquilla, where he was put on a special diet to gain 10kg.
    Diaz crossed the Atlantic to join Porto in 2019, before moving to Liverpool in January 2022.
    The Liverpool ace’s parents were taken near their home while on their way to a relatives houseCredit: Getty More

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    Solly March faces missing rest of SEASON with devastating injury in huge blow to Brighton

    SOLLY MARCH could be sidelined for the rest of the season following his knee injury at Manchester City.The Brighton winger, who was carried off in last Saturday’s 2-1 defeat at the Etihad, has suffered an “important” injury, manager Roberto De Zerbi confirmed.
    Solly March’s injury is a big worry for Seagulls’ boss Roberto De ZerbiCredit: Rex
    March will be a long-term crock after being taken off deep in stoppage time at Man City over the weekendCredit: Alamy
    Team-mate Danny Welbeck also hobbled off with a hamstring problem which De Zerbi confirmed was serious.
    Asked if March would play again this season, the Italian said: “I don’t know. It is difficult to fix a time.
    “For sure it is a long period. I don’t know how many months.
    “Solly unfortunately is a very tough injury, very important injury.
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    “We will lose him for a long time and Welbeck is the same, both long term.
    “We love Solly and we will be very close with him to support him every day.
    “But we have to accept it because football is like this. Injuries can happen, it can happen to lose a season. It is football.”
    De Zerbi is already without left-back Pervis Estupinian, Julio Enciso and full-back Tariq Lamptey as Brighton prepare to host Ajax in the Europa League on Thursday night.
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    He added: “I don’t want to cry because sometimes coaches cry when they lose players.
    “We have to move on and work harder to find a different solution.” More

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    Mystery as missing North Korean footballer dubbed The People’s Ronaldo ‘REAPPEARS’… but it could spell tragedy

    A FOOTBALLER dubbed The People’s Cristiano Ronaldo has mysteriously “reappeared” after vanishing from the spotlight years ago.Former Juventus striker Han Kwang-song reportedly left Italy last month and returned to his native North Korea – but he might not have the warmest welcome back.
    Former Juventus striker Han Kwang-song, from North Korea, mysteriously ‘reappeared’Credit: Getty
    The 24-year-old reportedly left Italy last month and returned to his homelandCredit: Getty
    Han’s return could spell tragedy as he re-enters Kim Jong-un’s ruthless regimeCredit: Getty
    On Tuesday, sports expert Marco Bagozzi updated Radio Free Asia (RFA) on the Pyongyang-born’s latest whereabouts.
    “I recently spoke with Han Kwang-song’s close friend in Italy and he confirmed that he left mid-August,” he said.
    Marco added that Han’s Facebook Messenger account has been “unusable” ever since.
    Another source, who wished to remain anonymous, told the Asian news outlet that the footballer had left for Beijing in August and returned to his homeland with fellow North Korean residents.
    Read more on Han Kwang-Song
    The insider claims that on August 22, Han was one of 200 North Korean passengers returning from China in a state-owned Air Koryo flight.
    Jorn Andersen, who coached the North Korean national team, also told RFA: “He has not been in contact with me since last year.”
    The 24-year-old’s enigmatic “comeback” could spell some tragedy as Han re-enters Kim Jong-un’s ruthless regime.
    The promising striker could likely be deemed as a North Korean “defector”, meaning he could face harsh interrogation, a prison camp sentence, or worse – the capital punishment.
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    Lee Hyun-seung, a North Korean defector currently residing in the US, told Radio Free Asia that overseas workers or civil servants would be subjected to months-long political ideological training once back to their homeland.
    “When the border is opened and overseas civil servants and worker re-enter North Korea, there is a high probability that these people will receive intensive ideological training from various Government bodies for at least three months,” he said.
    “These include units of the Organization and Guidance Department, Propaganda and Agitation Department, State Security Department, and Party cells.”
    Han’s trip to Rome from Doha in 2021 was his last known journey, CNN reports.
    That same year, Han was accused of breaching UN sanctions as he may had been funnelling his £20k-a-week wage to Kim’s nuke programme, experts believe.
    Han, the first North Korean to score in Serie A, was considered a promising young talent and was previously linked with big money moves to Liverpool, Manchester City, Arsenal and Everton.
    But Al-Duhail released him from the multi-million-pound contract he signed in 2020 amid a sanctions-busting probe by UN officials.
    Athletes are not exempt from international rules that stop North Koreans earning money overseas in case it goes to fund Kim’s nuclear programme.
    Experts told The Sun it is likely Han would have been forced to send most of his hefty pay packet back to the North Korean regime – which would have been in a blatant breach of UN sanctions.
    The promising striker could likely be deemed as a North Korean ‘defector’Credit: Getty
    Han could face harsh interrogation, a prison camp sentence, or capital punishmentCredit: Getty More

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    Police hunting for missing former Bundesliga player and manager as family beg public to help find him

    THE FAMILY of ex-Bundesliga footballer Uwe Klimaschefski have put out an urgent appeal to the police and public to help find him.Klimaschefski, 84, was reported to be missing since 5pm on September 7.
    Uwe Klimaschefski’s family have put out an appeal to the police and public after he went missingCredit: Picture Alliance / Nordphoto
    Klimaschefski played for a host of top German clubs in the 1950s and 60sCredit: Getty
    An appeal from his daughters Martina and Heike Klimaschefski on Facebook said: “Uwe Klimaschefski has been missing since September 7th at 5pm. 
    “He drove his car from Homburg to Berlin. 
    “Approached a passer-by there around 5pm to make a phone call. Since then there has been no trace.”
    Klimaschefski is said to be “urgently dependent on medication.”
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    The statement on Heike’s page continued: “If anyone sees him, please notify the Berlin police, me or my sister Martina Klimaschefski.
    “The Berlin police have received a missing person report.”
    The former forward enjoyed a playing career across a number of top German clubs including Bayer Leverkusen and Hertha Berlin across the 1950s and 60s.
    He later went on to become a coach for the likes of FC Homburg, Mainz, Hertha and 1860 Munich.
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    Klimaschefski was diagnosed with severe diabetes shortly before his 80th birthday.
    At the time he told BILD he “cheated death” after it was revealed he had a blood sugar level of 1100, with the normal level being between 110 and 140.
    He added: “They said I should actually be dead. I didn’t actually plan on setting the world record there.” More