The Supreme Court of Justice of Portugal failed in favor of the appeal of habeas corpus filed by the defense of Diego Marín Buitrago, aka «Dad Pitufo», who was detained in that country at the request of dition from Colombia. Portugal Court orders freedom of alias ‘Dad Pitufo’.
The 24 -page document that supports the decision concluded that there was no legal basis to maintain its deprivation of liberty, because the dition process is suspended while defining its asylum application. The Portuguese Prosecutor did not oppose his release.

This judicial decision does not imply the closure of the dition process, but it does leave without restrictions to one of the most wanted men by the Colombian authorities for crimes such as bribery, a concert to commit crimes and mass smuggling of goods.

Colombian government reaction: Petro questions a decision; Portugal Court orders freedom of alias ‘dad pitufo’

President Gustavo Petro expressed his disagreement with the liberation of Diego Marín. «So far my action came to capture the greatest smuggler in Colombia and perhaps his biggest asset of assets,» said the president.
Petro revealed that he managed directly to the president of Spain, Pedro Sánchez, and before officials of the European Commission to achieve the dition of the smuggling tsar. In addition, he denounced that Marín’s defense was shielded in an alleged case of political persecution.

The Attorney General’s Office also regretted the decision, noting that the accusation letter in Colombia had already filed, with which everything was ready to initiate a trial before a judge specialized in Bogotá.

‘Dad Pitufo’ and the corruption network that splashes politicians and officials

Alias ​​’Dad Pitufo’ is accused of leading a sophisticated smuggling network that involves senior officials of the Fiscal and Customs Police, the DIAN and even judicial servants.
The Prosecutor’s Office also links it with alleged money laundering operations and attempts to illegally finance political campaigns, including President Gustavo Petro in 2022. Although Petro clarified that he returned the money offered by Marín and that he failed to infiltrate his campaign, the case has caused controversy and the departure of several executive officials.

According to his lawyer, Marín will remain in Portugal while his asylum application is resolved and will continue to appear before the Colombian justice in the corresponding processes.

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