Colombia Reports

David Murcia refused to answer questions before Congress Thursday. Murcia's lawyer said the DMG director reserved the right to remain silent because his responses could affect the outcome of criminal proceedings he is currently involved in.

Murcia, currently on trial for money laundering and illicit enrichment, refused to answer questions put to him by legislators.

The Senate had agreed Tuesday to question Murcia about his alleged support for the re-election referendum after the DMG Director said he would be willing to testify before congress.

Murcia had said in an interview with weekly Cambio that he had spent US$2 million on the logistics of the referendum, something he wouldn't confirm when questioned by the National Electoral Council. He also said some twenty senators had ties to DMG before the company was investigated for allegedly being a ponzi scheme and laundering money for drug traffickers.

Murcia claimed the security of his family would be compromised if he spoke to the Council about it but told the investigating magistrate that he would be willing to testify before the Senate.

Senator Héctor Elí Rojas said Murcia had appeared before the Senate to answer its summons of him but left the Senate session after an hour and fifteen minutes without responding to questions.

The opposition had asked to question Murcia about his alleged help in the referendum that seeks the re-election of President Álvaro Uribe. 

Senator Armando Bendetti said that when questioned over alleged links between DMG and congressmen, Murcia said "that's not true".

Murcia said that if he had given money to congress election campaigns, the donations were given purely as a citizen and a businessmen. 

Senator Rojas said that it is Murcia's duty to share any information he knows and that the Senate "has the authority to interrogate him about it".