Colombia issues Interpol warrant for Panama refugee

Colombia's attorney general, has  asked  two former officials who fled while under investigation, to return to face charges with the assurance that their rights will be respected.

While not naming names, Eduardo Montealegre’s, words were interpreted as a reference to two close aides of former President Alvaro Uribe during his two terms of office, from 2002 to 2010.

The Attorney General has asked Interpol  for an international arrest order for Maria del Pilar Hurtado, who was director of the Secret Service and is alleged to have carried on espionage case against judges, journalists, opposition leaders and human rights defenders during the Uribe administration. Hurtado fled the country in late 2010 and was granted asylum in Panama, and has not been arrested.

The Prosecutor  also issued a warrant for the arrest of Luis Carlos Restrepo, who was high commissioner for peace and is being investigated for alleged false demobilization of  guerrillas Earlier this year left the country and still not back.

“They can come with the reassurance that there will be no persecution," said Montealagre whjile being sworn in as attorney general in a ceremony led by President Juan Manuel Santos.

Montealegre was elected by the Supreme Court from a list proposed by Santos after the former attorney general, Viviane Morales, had to resign earlier this month because his election was annulled by a court.

According to the State Council, the highest administrative law of justice, the Supreme Court acted irregularly in late 2010 when choosing Morales.