Chirac Paying Off Terrorists?

Although I haven't found the proof myself, Iraq blogger Hammorabi says the following:

The French TV Channel 5 stated today that a ransom of 75 millions US Dollars was paid to Haiyat Ulama Moslemen of Hareth Al-Thari to release the French journalist Florence Aubenas. The TV stated that this ransom was paid to save Jacque Chirac in the next election. FA was kidnapped in Jan 2005 by one of the terrorists group which has a link with Al-Thari group. Althari is like the God-father for the terrorists groups and the outside negotiations with the kidnappers always occur through him and his group.

Still a good story - even better if it's true.