Former Colombian spy fugitive exits Panama
ONLY HOURS after Interpol issued an international red alert for the arrest of former Colombian spy boss María del Pilar Hurtado, she surrendered to Panamanian authorities and gave up her long battle to avoid extradition.
On the evening of Friday January 30, she was notified of an expulsion decision and handed over to Colombian authorities. She left Tocumen International Airport in a Colombia government plane, and landed in Bogota at 5.24 am.
She was granted political asylum by the Martinelli administration in November 2010 at the time Panama was setting up its own snooping operation.
She faces trial and a possible lengthy prison sentence over allegations of wiretapping judges, journalists and opposition politicians during the presidency of Alvaro Uribe (2002-2010) Two former Panamanian Security chiefs are currently in La Gran Joya prison, facing charges of similar activities.