Colombian police arrest politician wanted for wife’s murder

A Colombian politican suspected of murdering his wife was captured by authorities on Tuesday.

Police captured former council member Julio Velez Gonzalez, in the capital Cucuta of the northern Norte de Santander department, after further investigations of his wife’s death.

The politician had been accused of killing his wife, 21 year old Maria Claudia Castaño Avendaño, who was found dead in April 2010. The defense of the accused has argued that Claudia Castaño had committed suicide. However, with the help of a private expert, the family of Gonzalez’ wife proved that the woman had allegedly been assassinated based on the direction that the bullet entered her head.

Interpol had issued an international capture alert for Gonzalez on August 15. The political leader could not be found in his place of residence and was deemed a fugitive for several weeks before his arrest.

The politician will go before judges to face the charges of aggravated murder.

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