Colombian authorities released the countryâs former Supreme Court president Francisco Ricaurte from jail, after the prosecution failed to call him to trial for allegedly leading a corruption ring that allowed Colombiaâs politicians to evade justice.
The former Supreme Court President was released on Wednesday night after a judge and his lawyer managed to hoodwink the prosecution, forcing authorities to let him go.
On Wednesday night, a judge ordered his release after Ricaurteâs lawyer claimed that the prosecution failed to call the former Supreme Court president to trial over his alleged role in the corruption scheme.
According to media reports, the prosecution called Ricaurte to stand on trial on August 15th and 16th, a couple of days before the expiration of the statute of limitations.
The former Supreme Court president failed to show up for the hearing after his lawyer said he had other court obligations. This deception allowed the lawyer to successfully argue for the release of his client.
The Inspector Generalâs Office claimed this act of lawyerly deception allowed Ricaurte to petition for release. The prosecutor’s office indicated that it believes the former Supreme Court president and the prosecution may have worked in complicity to secure Ricaurte’s release.
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