A former comptroller of Bogota was denied release Thursday after he was held for more than 90 days awaiting a corruption trial, El Espectador reported.
Miguel Angel Moralesrussi requested that he be released from confinement as he has been detained for more than 90 days and his trial still has not commenced. In Colombia a suspect can request release if he has been detained for more than 90 days without going to trial.
The judge denied Moralesrusssi his release as felt that the complexities of the prosecution’s research warranted the delay in Moralesrussi’s trial.
Moralesrussi’s attorney noted that the defense had in no way impeded the commencement of the trial and had even offered alternatives to speed it along.
The former comptroller is accused of participating in a public works embezzlement scandal along with suspended Bogota Mayor Samuel Moreno and his brother Senator Ivan Moreno.