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, Colombias congress lifted the immunity and suspended a sitting constitutional court judge who had become embroiled in a bribery scandal.
Never since Colombias 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 judges 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/
[center]
Former President Alvaro Uribe swearing in Jorge Pretelt.
[/center]