Spy chief in Panama not victim of political persecution

THE TERRITORIAL asylum granted by the President Ricardo Martinelli to the former head of Colombia’s spy chief, María del Pilar Hurtado, does not meet the conditions of political persecution says Panama’s Supreme Court.

That was the conclusions of Judge Harley Mitchell, rapporteur of a lawsuit that declared unconstitutional the asylum granted Hurtado on November 19 , 2010.
The lawsuit was filed in 2011 by lawyers Angel Alvarez and Paulo Vega.
Hurtado, former head of intelligence in the Colombian government of Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010), is accused of wire-tapping judges, journalists, lawyers and political opponents.
Shefaces felony charges of aggravated conspiracy, abuse of public office, violation of communications, and embezzlement by appropriation and misrepresentation.
The content of the ruling was announced Wednesday June 18, but is dated May 29 when it was discussed and voted on in the full Supreme Court.
Besides Mitchell it was endorsed Mitchell Abel Zamorano (for Alejandro Moncada) Oyden Ortega, Victor Benavides, Jerónimo Mejía, Luis Ramon Fabrega, Secundino Mendieta (for Hernán De León) and Gabriel Fernández (for Jose Ayu Prado).
Judge Harry Diaz did not agree with the decision.
“The Executive Branch has not sustained the granting of asylum status to Hurtado, on grounds of persecution of a political nature or for political offenses,” says the document.
Article 14 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights which states that everyone has the right to seek asylum, but cannot be invoked against a prosecution for criminal offenses is also cited.
According to the decision the request “only alluded to the requirements of social and political stability in the region…
“The rating on the accused executive order does not conform to the definition of political offense,” says the Supreme Court.
The decision warns that the rules of international law and human rights which must be met in accordance with Article 4 of the Constitution were breached.