Charges sought against ex-DAS director and Uribe aide for wiretapping

The prosecutor general filed a request before the Superior Court of Bogota to press charges against a former director of DAS and ex President Alvaro Uribe’s chief of staff for illegal wiretapping, local media reported Wednesday.

Prosecutor General Viviane Morales requested that former DAS Director Maria del Pilar Hurtado and former presidential secretary Bernardo Moreno be charged with five offenses; conspiracy, unlawful violation of communications, misuse of public office, breach of public duty and falsification of public documents El Tiempo reported.

Hurtado, who was controversially granted asylum in Panama in November 2010, and Moreno are both accused of ordering lower-ranking intelligence officials to illegally monitor magistrates, journalists, government opponents and human rights campaigners during the Uribe administration.

The Superior Court of Bogota is to set a date for an arraignment hearing, reported Semana. If Hurtado does not participate in the proceedings as a result her status of asylum in Panama, she will be held in contempt and will be issued with an Interpol Red Notice, a provisional arrest warrant with a view to extradition.

Last weekend it was reported that Morales may file an international arrest warrant for Hurtado though so far, no such act has been carried out.

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