Authorities ordered the release of the father of Medellin’s current mayor, who is under investigation for paramilitary links, on Thursday.
Local media said a delegate for the prosecution ordered a Medellin court to release Guillermo Gaviria Echeverri, who has been on house arrest since April 12.
In the decision the court determined that Gaviria has deep roots in Medellin and the department of Antioquia, and therefore did not present a flight risk.
Gaviria was accused of paramilitary links by ex-paramilitary Raul Jazbun, alias “Pedro Bonito.” Jazbun said Gaviria, along with others in the banana business, gave money to the AUC paramilitary group.
Jazbun went on to say international fruit companies like Chiquita Brands donated three cents of every dollar made to paramilitary groups.
Gaviria is the father of Medellin’s current mayor Anibal Gaviria and owner of local newspaper El Mundo.