Panamanian lawyers demand rejection of ex-DAS director's asylum

[Judi Lynn]

Panamanian lawyers demand rejection of ex-DAS director's asylum
Friday, 20 May 2011 14:42
Marguerite Cawley

Two Panamanian lawyers have demanded that their country's Supreme Court renounce the political asylum afforded to the ex-director of Colombia's intelligence agency, international media reported Friday.

Lawyers Paulo Vega and Angel Alvarez submitted a request to the court that the asylum be declared unconstitutional, after the Panamanian government said yesterday that it would not turn Maria del Pilar Hurtado over to the Colombian government, despite the request made for the her extradition.

The lawyers have alleged that the measures adopted by the Panamanian government in favor of the ex-director run contrary to laws regarding political asylum and violate international accords, based on the fact that Hurtado is being pursued for common, rather than political, crimes.

"We are presenting a demand of inconstitutionality against Executive Decree 301 of November 2010 in virtue of the that Hurtado is not being pursued politically, but, rather, for common crimes," said the lawyers.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/16422-panamanian-lawyers-demand-rejection-of-ex-das-directors-asylum.html

[rabs]

1. Error in the CR story

Panama did NOT grant "political asylum" to Hurtado.

She was granted "territorial asylum," which could make her more liable for extradition.

Hurtado reported directly to Bernardo Moreno, uribito's chief of staff. So the key is Moreno, despite what Hurtado may have to say if tried.

We shall see.

[Judi Lynn]

2. You're right. I remember that now. Thanks for pointing this out again. n/t