Human rights lawyers called the former sub-director of the Colombian intelligence agency DAS to trial for the 1999 killing of comedian and journalist Jaime Garzon, reported El Espectador.
Human rights lawyers and the Prosecutor General indicted former head of the Colombian intelligence agency DAS, Jose Miguel Narvaez, in 2010 for the 1999 killing of comedian and journalist Jaime Garzon, and preperations for his trial will soon begin.
The National Unit of Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law (IHL) are the two human rights bodies that are prosecuting the ex-intelligence official who is currently standing trial for his possible involvement in DAS’ illegal wiretapping of political opponents, human rights workers and magistrates.
According to testimony of Carlos Castaño Gil, the late commander of the paramilitary umbrella organization AUC, Narvaez was involved in ordering the hit on Garzon.
Narvaez has also been indicted for the murder of leftist and Union Patriotica Senator Manuel Cepeda Vargas in 1994.
The former DAS official is being held at the Facatativa detention center in the central Cundinamarca department.
Jaime Garzon synthesized humor with journalism, extracting information from politicians and national figures that other mainstream journalists during the era would not.
Shoe shiner, Heriberto de la Calle, was one of the most beloved of Garzon’s characters. Heriberto was illiterate and confused by Colombia’s chaotic history and politics, but his kind heart and innocence shed light on the gravity of the country’s problems. Heriberto’s shameless exterior and immense popularity led many national leaders to accept an offer for a shoeshine and informal interview, which often ended with the awkward and forced responses to tough national issues.