The wife and two children of former Agriculture Minister Andres Felipe Arias have left Colombia after being threatened, several Colombian media reported Friday.
“His family has been victim of numerous threats and even a robbery by a gang of attackers. Because of this, the fear has increased and his wife, daughter and baby will soon leave the country,” an announcement sent to national media said.
The announcement of the family comes three days after the former minister was sent to jail to await trial over embezzlement charges.
Arias is accused of having embezzled $25 million in public funds to gather political support among politically powerful families while aspiring to become the Conservative Party’s candidate for the 2010 elections.