Colombia’s former Ambassador to Peru entered custody Tuesday after medical reasons prevented him from leaving Peru following his Friday arrest for conspiracy, reported local media.
Jorge Visbal Martelo reportedly suffered a hypertensive crisis, preventing him from travelling from Lima to Bogota to face charges of conspiracy for his alleged links to the disbanded paramilitary group the AUC.
The diplomat’s attorney, Abelardo de la Espriello wants his client to be detained in a military garrison for health and safety concerns.
“The health issue is lesser to the fact that Dr. Jorge Visbal has been the subject of several attacks, including bombings in the past,” said Espriello to local media.
The attorney goes on to say that it is “his duty” to protect Visbal “given the degree of danger” he faces.
The former Ambassador to Canada was reportedly listed on a computer seized from extradited paramilitary leader Rodrigo Tovar Puep, alias “Jorge 40.” Investigators believe the two had close ties.
The prosecution was based on evidence and testimony which linked him to paramilitary groups during his 1998 to 2004 tenure as president of the Federation of Livestock. The star witness in the case has been ex-AUC commander Salvatore Mancuso, who accused Visbal of receiving political support from the paramilitary organization.
Visbal resigned from his ambassadorship March 15.