Ex-Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias on Thursday plead not guilty to charges that he embezzled $25 million in agricultural grants meant for poor farmers.
Arias is accused of redirecting subsidies for irrigation and drainage programs into the hands of wealthy families and using the program funds to promote his 2010 candidacy for president.
In an interview with RCN Radio, Arias declared, “Never, not directly or through third parties, did I use a State program to finance any political campaign and I am ready to take a polygraph test.”
According to the former Minister, he is the victim of a political persecution of members of the adminstrations of former President Alvaro Uribe.