Colombia Congress suspends Constitutional Court judge over bribery scandal

Colombia Congress suspends Constitutional Court judge over bribery scandal

written by Adriaan Alsema August 24, 2016



In a historic move, Colombia’s congress lifted the immunity and suspended a sitting constitutional court judge who had become embroiled in a bribery scandal.

Never since Colombia’s 1991 constitution came into force did Congress use its discretionary power to lift the immunity of a top court official.

However, the case of judge Jorge Pretelt left Congress without much of a choice after widely publicized corruption allegations and the judge’s stern refusal to step down.

According to his colleagues, Pretelt had been seeking a bribe with oil company Fidupetrol that had sought the constitutional court to undo a $17 million fine for violating environmental regulations.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-congress-suspends-constitutional-court-judge-bribery-scandal/

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Former President Alvaro Uribe swearing in Jorge Pretelt.

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