Ex-Colombian president defends Panama asylum seeker

COLOMBIA’S Former President, who visited Panama for a state funeral, has defended an asylum seeker wanted by judicial authorities in an investigation linked to him.

Alvaro Uribe, himself under the Colombian judicial spotlight, attended the state funeral of former Panamanian president Arnulfo Arias, said some former officials of his government are subject to retaliation, by criminals in the justice system.

Among the “victims” including is the former head of Colombia’s secret police who  requested asylum in Panama

Maria del Pilar Hurtado (2007-2008) is the subject of extradition requests by Cpolombia. She was granted asylum in Panama by President Ricardo Martinelli who has Claimed close ties and friendship with the former Colombian boss.

Uribe, who is  himself trying to dodge investigation bullets said the current prosecutions are motivated by revenge and that former authorities investigates and  jailed are "false victims".

There was "Pressure against the asylum" that the government of President Ricardo Martinelli gave to. Hurtado, who claimed in her asylum application that her life was in danger in Colombia, and  is considered key in the spy scandal that erupted in 2009. Hurtado’s participation could lead to a possible illegal involvement of Uribe in  a body directly under the President.

Hurtado is wanted  for  the alleged commission of five crimes: agreement to commit a crime aggravated, unlawful violation of communications, misuse of public office, misappropriation and embezzlement by falsifying a public document. 

Uribe also said that these criminal threats have targeted his former minister of Agriculture, Andrés Felipe Arias, Secretary General of the Presidency, Bernardo Moreno, and the Peace Commissioner Luis Carlos Restrepo.

 Arias has been in custody since mid-2011 for allegedly obstructing an investigation into irregularities in the granting of agricultural subsidies. The former minister was banned in December from holding public office for 16 years.

 Moreno is being held and brought to trial by the Colombian authorities for the same spy scandal which involves Hurtado. A Restrepo will be tried on January 20 for alleged crimes related to an alleged false demobilization of members of the guerrilla FARC in March 2006. 

Uribe has repeatedly denied any involvement in various scandals of his government and says its employees are victims of political persecution. "Colombia had a destructive penetration of criminals in high places of the state. A justice sector was affected and inexplicably pursued those who served the country well," said the former president in a statement.