"There is absolutely nothing political" in the refusal of Colombia  to grant political asylum to Panamanian fugitive,  Mayer Mizrachi, says  Colombian Foreign Minister Maria Angela Holguin.

Mizrachi, Panama playboy, businessman and Ricardo Martinelli relative by marriage who is  under  investigation  for  the commission of crimes against public administration to the detriment of the Government Innovation Authority  (AIG),  fled Panama for Fort Lauderdale in Florida. He left his Floida hideout and flew to Cartegena Co ombia  where he was arrested by Interpol in  December. On his release from prison he escaped from immigration authorities waiting to deport him.

He then applied for political asylum, using the “political persecution” mantra familiar to many of the previous administration facing trial for corruption.  "He was refused asylum and has ten working days to exercise his appeal" which will be  on July 22, said Holguin