Panama: Photographer freed for $6,000

PANAMA CITY, Panama, June 5 (UPI) -- The kidnappers of an Argentine photographer in Panama City were paid $6,000 for his release, according to Panamanian officials.

Panamanian Assistant Attorney General Luis Martinez wouldn't comment on the details of the abduction or who paid the ransom for the release of Fernando Calzada, EFE news agency reported Tuesday.

Calzada had been held about 24 hours and was released Sunday, Panamanian authorities said.

The Argentine photographer was supposedly in the Panamanian capital to cover the OAS General Assembly though he wasn't credentialed for the three-day meetings of foreign ministers and U.S. Secretary of State Condoleezza Rice.