A retired army colonel, suspected of being responsible for the forced disappearance of civilians in the 1985 Palace of Justice drama, was released because the prosecution failed to indict him on time.
The colonel, Edilberto Sanchez, was arrested six months ago because as commander of the army's intelligence unit B2 he may have been responsible for the disappearance of eleven cafetaria workers.
The prosecution says they have proof at least two of the workers came out of the hostage drama alive, but were never seen after army troops led them away.
The Palace of Justice drama began when guerrillas of M-19 occupied the building and held the complete Supreme Court hostage. The army attacked the building, killing over a 100 people, including 11 Supreme Court magistrates. Eleven civilians and one guerrilla disappeared
Because the prosecution failed to indict the retired colonel within six months Sanchez is now free to leave prison. Several other military officials are suspect in the forced disappearance case.
