Two RUC officers have travelled to Colombia to help investigate three Irishmen charged with paramilitary offences.
The RUC press office confirmed yesterday that two senior police officers had travelled to Colombia to support the investigation into the activities of Mr Niall Connolly, Mr James Monaghan and Mr Martin McCauley.
Although the RUC could not give their rank or say from which section the officers came, it was reported that they were an inspector and a superintendent and were almost certainly from the Special Branch.
There were also reports that officers from MI5, the British security service, have also travelled to Colombia to help the investigation.
There have been indications that the Colombian authorities will be unable to produce sufficient evidence to convict the three men of the charges they face.
Early reports that the authorities had video footage of their activities have proved untrue while tests for explosives on their clothing have also been inconclusive so far.
The men can be detained for up to eight months while the allegation that they trained member of the FARC guerrilla organisation is investigated. They are also charged with travelling on false passports, a charge which has not been denied. If they are convicted of training guerrillas, the men could serve up to 20 years in prison.
Earlier this week, the Alliance Party pointed out that under the British Prevention of Terrorism Act 2000 there was provision to try British and Irish citizens for terrorist activity overseas.
"In particular, Section 54 of the legislation talks about the training in the use of explosives and firearms as a terrorist offence," said the party's justice spokesman, Dr Stephen Farry.
The possibility of extradition has further fuelled speculation that the purpose of sending the RUC and MI5 officers to Colombia is to lay the groundwork for such proceedings.