A woman arrested in Spain on suspicion of ties with Colombian guerrilla group the FARC is released pending further investigation, El Espectador reported Wednesday.
The decision was reached by Judge Santiago Pedraz on the basis that the accused, Leyla Yolita, 39, who was arrested in Madrid on Tuesday, poses no flight risk.
Pedraz also affirmed that there is no risk of “concealment, alteration or destruction of the evidence.”
A decision on whether to extradite Yolita to Colombia is pending. However, Judge Pedraz stated that she must appear before the court when called and provide a current address and contact information.
Yolita was given asylum status in Spain in 2005. She is wanted by the Colombian authorities on suspicion of working as a liaison officer for the FARC, facilitating links for them in international forums.
Yolita’s defense lawyer claims that she is being politically persecuted for her involvement in the Colombian Communist Party and that she has no ties with the guerrilla group.
She was arrested as part of “Operation Cali,” an initiative that has so far seen the arrest of over 40 people since October for drug trafficking and money laundering.
