DAS involved in paramilitary training, attacks on public figures: Semana

[Judi Lynn]

DAS involved in paramilitary training, attacks on public figures: Semana
Sunday, 16 October 2011 11:19
Adriaan Alsema

Colombian weekly Semana began publishing evidence Sunday of criminal activities by members of the country's already severely disgraced intelligence agency DAS, whose almost entire intelligence database was leaked to media and drug trafficking organizations.

In the first of a series of articles, Semana revealed how DAS agents were involved in the training of paramilitary forces and murder attempts on now-Interior Minister German Vargas Lleras and emerald miner Victor Carranza.

The DAS is weeks from being dismantled following scandals revealing that the state agency was involved in the murder of unionists and politicians, had been infiltrated by the paramilitary organization AUC, illegally wiretapped Supreme Court judges and opponents of the administration of former President Alvaro Uribe and was involved in drug trafficking.

According to the weekly, the reports published Sunday are the first of a series in which previously unknown criminal activities of DAS agents of the intelligence agency are revealed.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19707-das-involved-in-paramilitary-training-attacks-on-public-figures-semana.html

[cqo_000]

1. Colombian opposition says illegal wiretaps continue

Colombian opposition says illegal wiretaps continue
Tuesday, 11 October 2011 05:59
Adriaan Alsema

Colombian opposition party Polo Democratico (PDA) said Monday the country's police and intelligence agency DAS are continuing to illegally wiretap opposition politicians.

Senator Alexander Lopez, spokesman of the socialist PDA said he has seven witnesses who corroborate the party's claims that DAS director Felipe Muñoz is informed about the alleged illegal wiretapping practices and a "smear campaign" against the opposition party.

According to Lopez, the administration of President Juan Manuel Santos is "showing that everything is the same as with the government of Uribe" by allowing the intelligence chief to stay on.

http://colombiareports.com/colombia-news/news/19575-colombian-opposition-says-illegal-wiretaps-continue.html