LThe investigation into alleged corruption at the National Risk Management Unit (UNGRD) has taken a significant turn. Deputy Prosecutor María Cristina Patiño has denounced the disappearance of important evidence at the entity. In her statement, Patiño said: “There is only a trace, a vestige, a sample and an element of the contract. These items are being disappeared, according to the Comptroller’s Office, 69 boxes disappeared (…) “Currently, there are contractors at UNGRD who are making evidence disappear.” This situation has led the Prosecutor’s Office to take urgent measures to preserve the integrity of the investigation.
Before the 35th judge of control of guarantees, the Prosecutor Patiño has requested the imposition of measures of security that deprive the liberty of Olmedo López, Sneyder Pinilla and the contractor Luis Eduardo López Rosero. These three individuals are indicated as alleged participants in the corruption scheme that would have affected the UNGRD. The Prosecutor argued that the urgency of these measures This is due to “the urgent need to protect and prevent the transgression, manipulation and adulteration of evidence.”
The prosecutor elaborated on her arguments, pointing out the potential risks if immediate measures are not taken. Patiño warned: “In the event that the principle of opportunity is not granted or a pre-agreement is not reached, the defendants will be subject to a legal obligation. They may attempt to destroy, modify or falsify physical evidence or material items evidence or induce third parties to behave disloyally with the administration of justice.” As evidence of this concern, the Prosecutor revealed that Sneyder Pinilla had admitted to having deleted WhatsApp conversations that could compromise the defendants in the crimes investigated.
In addition to concerns about the preservation of evidence, the Prosecutor’s Office has expressed concern for the personal safety of those involved in the case. Patiño requested that the defendants be held in a military garrison, citing the threats they have received. In his speech, he explained: “Due to the risk situation that the defendants have been in (…) the Prosecutor’s Office carried out a risk assessment of these, resulting in an extraordinary risk, which is why the defendants are being held in a military garrison. for which we assigned them a robust security scheme.”