Senator Ivan Moreno Rojas’ lawyer resigns in objection to proposals to try his client in absentia, postponing the corruption hearing until March 22, W Radio reported Monday.
Prior to this development, the court planned to press ahead with a disciplinary trial for Moreno, who claimed he was unable to travel due to medical problems.
Lawyer Luz Stella Mosquera presented her resignation in a letter to the court, in which she denounced the decision to continue with Moreno’s trial in his absence.
Mosquera stated that, “Notwithstanding that he [Moreno] proved his health problems and the inability to travel in the short term with a certification from a medical center, and that Senator Moreno Rojas has reiterated his intention to attend the hearings, the inspector general refused postponement of the hearing, which implies ignorance of the right of material defense, of technical defense, of the presumption of innocence and the guarantee of due process.”
Upon learning of her resignation, Inspector General Alejandro Ordoñez ordered the High Judicial Council to investigate Mosquera for failing to to fulfill her professional duties, and postponed the trial to allow time for a new lawyer to be named.
The trial pertains to corruption charges against Moreno and other Bogota officials who are charged with awarding public works contracts to the Nule Group in exchange for bribes.