No one at the Colombian Presidential Palace ordered the illegal wiretapping of judges, journalists, human rights workers and politicians, as performed by the country’s intelligence service DAS, a press release published on the website of the Presidency said Monday.
Earlier that day, Supreme Court president Jaime Arrubla had asked for a full investigation of aides of President Uribe who have been implicated in the scandal.
“Following stories in the press related to the investigation carried out by the Prosecutor General’s Office about alleged illegal wiretaps the Presidency of the Republic wishes to confirm that not one employee of the Casa de Nariño has met with officials to instruct or order the interception (of communication) or shadowing of magistrates, politicians or any person. All officials are willing to appear before the judicial bodies to ratify that the Casa de Nariño never has given instructions in this sense,” the press release read.
Uribe’s press secretary, his personal secretary, the former deputy defense minister, three former directors and three former executives of the DAS are implicated in the scandal.