Colombia’s Congress is delaying 1,100 cases against high-ranking government officials, said the minister of interior and justice on Monday.
German Vargas Lleras proposed that the congressional Accusations Commission be streamlined into a smaller committee in order to expedite court prosecutions of officials and members of congress.
“I’m looking to eliminate the Accusations Commission. The House appoints outside people as permanent judges in the courts. There are more than 1,100 pending cases,” the minister said.
The most prominent case currently before the Accusations Commission is that of former President Alvaro Uribe, who is suspected of ordering the illegal wiretapping of Supreme Court magistrates and opponents of his government. This investigation started in October, but has only led to one hearing because a number of congressmen withdrew from the investigation. The investigation is suspended until the next parliamentary year, which starts July 20.
