Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Tuesday called seven former state intelligence officials to trial for the illegal wiretapping of government opponents and human rights organizations.
One former director of intelligence of the DAS, and six members of a special intelligence unit that specialized in the illegal wiretapping, will have to respond to charges of conspiracy to commit a crime, illegal use of communication methods, illegal use of transmission equipment, and the abuse of power.
According to the PG’s Office, the DAS officials “organized the G3 unit that was dedicated to commiting crimes against human rights organizations and their directors, journalists and political leaders” after the founding of the special unit in 2004.
Other DAS officials will be investigated for the invasion of privacy, of people “like DAS officials and possibly government officials,” the PG’s Office announced.
Following the illegal wiretapping scandal, Colombian President Alvaro Uribe decided to dismantle the DAS and form a new intelligence agency. U.S. Congress has withdrawn all aid to the DAS and its possible successors.
