Texan separatists release hostages

ARMED separatists demanding independence for Texas released two hostages early yesterday in return for one of their members being…

ARMED separatists demanding independence for Texas released two hostages early yesterday in return for one of their members being set free from jail.

The prisoner exchange took some of the heat out of a tense 12 hour stand off between the self styled "Republic of Texas" and police, but officials said they had not yet decided whether to with draw FBI agents from outside the separatist group's remote compound in the Davis Mountains.

The crisis began early on Sunday when Mr Bob Scheidt, the republic's chief of security, was arrested by sheriffs deputies for carrying two assault rifles in his van when he left the group's compound.

Republic leaders retaliated by attacking the nearby home of a middle aged couple, Joe and Margaret Rowe, and taking them hostage. They said the couple would be released only when police set free Mr Scheidt and another group member who was recently arrested in Austin on contempt of court charges.

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After hours of negotiations, police agreed to release only Mr Scheidt and the two for one prisoner exchange took place shortly after midnight.

A spokeswoman for the Texas Department of Public Safety said Joe Rowe, who was wounded in the attack on his home, was sent to a hospital but his injuries were not life threatening.

Mr Rowe and his wife were targeted because they have been vocal opponents of the republic of Texas group in a bitter property dispute. Republic members said Mr Rowe was a spy for the de facto state government". They believe Texas was annexed illegally in 1845.

Mr Richard McLaren, the group's leader, has been hiding in the remote compound since December, when an arrest warrant was issued against him on contempt of court charges.

For the last four months he has warned that thousands of supporters would rush to his defence if police tried to arrest him, but officials dispute this.