The Inter-American Court of Human Rights (IACHR) has granted special protection to one of Colombia’s Supreme Court judges who had clashed with President Alvaro Uribe last year, W Radio reported Monday. The magistrate is now sued for slander and was allegedly monitored by intelligence service DAS.
According to the radio station, the human rights body of the Organization of American States (OAS) offers protection to the judge, because it feels the magistrate is in risk.
“The circumstances in which magistrate [Cesar Julio] Valencia Copete found himself in recently have led to increased risks for his safety,” the IACHR was quoted by W.
Valencia was sued by Uribe before Congress’ accusations committee after the judge denounced the President had called him to be informed avout whether the President’s cousin, former senator Mario Uribe, was investigated for his alleged ties to paramilitary death squads.
Valencia refused to withdraw his comments, claiming his statements “correspond to the truth” and “there is no reason to rectify.” Uribe then proceeded to denounce the magistrate for insult and slander before Congress, that is still investigating the case.
The magistrate is one of the Supreme Court judges that allegedly was illegally monitored by Colombia’s intelligence service DAS. The President’s closest aides are investigated for allegedly having ordered to wiretap the judge.