Source: CART Editorial
Author and Trans. : David Bertet
Updated on February 10th, 2015
The controversial trial of the doctor and Colombian politician Luis Fernando Almario Rojas opened today, at the Supreme Court of Justice in Bogota and in the presence of its nine judges.
To defend and promote the fundamental democratic values and principles especially, the presumption of innocence and the ban on torture.
Consistent with our fifth goal as it is stated in the Charter of the organization, the Canadian Association for Rights and Truth wishes to inform the public that we will observe carefully the continuity of Luis Fernando Almario Rojas’ trial, accused in 2008 in a murder case. In the present state of our investigations – which are still ongoing, we can already say that serious elements of violations were committed by the authorities in the course of the investigations, and that other elements tend to support the argument that the charges against Almario Rojas were manufactured.
At today’s hearing, on February 9th, 2015, Mrs. Sonia Patricia Sierra Román, General Prosecutor of Justice, intervened to present the charges against Luis Fernando Almario Rojas, whereas the latter spoke particularly about the content of one particular testimony, that of M. Roberto Prieto Suaza, on which the prosecution is based.
Update on Feb. 10th, 2015: Luis Fernando Almario Rojas’ legal representative, Luis Alejandro Flórez Rincón, is currently working on the defense’s response to the General Attorney’s document. The answer will be published on this site soon.
As observers, the Canadian Association for Rights and Truth is calling for a fair trial for Luis Fernando Almario Rojas and expresses its concern at the view of recurring media lynching which the accused is regularly subject to in national and local media, in flagrant violation to the sacred principle of the presumption of innocence.
Update on Feb. 10th, 2015: On the second day of hearings, the defense exposed before the 9 judges her view on the legal statements by thirteen witnesses, the legality and veracity of which have been severely put into question. Show your support to Luis Fernando Almario Rojas and call for a fair trial using #FreeAlmario on social networks.
The next trial dates will be:
– February 11 at 8:30 am– February 16 at 8:30 am
– February 17 at 8:30 am
– February 18 at 2:30 pm
Additional information: Support Site for Luis Fernando Almario Rojas
