The attorney general, Margarita Cabello, indicated that there are no clues about the acquisition of the Pegasus spyware during the Duke administration. The entity is carrying out two investigations linked to the case, however, so far “There are no official traces of the program’s existence.”
(Read more: Prosecutor’s Office confirmed purchase of Pegasus spy software for 11 million dollars)
In a recent intervention, the official indicated that the entity, until now, has not found the use of reserved expenses or silver seized for the purchase of Pegasus.
It should be remembered that one of the investigations by the Public Ministry responds to the complaint made by the Constitutional Court last July that Judge Jorge Enrique Ibáñez and his team were being illegally intercepted.
The other is derived from the speech made by President Gustavo Petro in which he put on the table the possible landing of this spy program of Israeli origin. At the time, the head of state made reference to the fact that in 2021 it would have been used to attack young people who participated in marches and sit-ins, as well as against his campaign for the Casa de Nariño.
It is important to note that the Prosecutor’s Office concentrated those same two events into one.
(Read more: President Petro accused NSO Group director of ‘money laundering’ in Colombia)
What does Pegasus mean?
(See: ‘The President’s immunity has been broken’: Gustavo Petro, on CNE investigation)
Prosecutor’s investigation
In an interview with EL TIEMPO, the attorney general, Luz Adriana Camargo, indicated that there are documents from Israel’s financial intelligence unit that support the purchase of Pegasus in two 2021 transactions, each for 5.5 million dollars.
“That report of a suspicious operation is true and exists, and was issued by the Uiaf of Israel, so as for that, of course they confirm it, there is no doubt about that. The operation for 11 million dollars existed, there was a first payment , which was in June, 5.5 million”Camargo explained.
The head of the accusing body also indicated that, according to the information issued there, “The suspicious transaction alert tells us that the money arrives in cash, in American dollars. We are certain that this is the case because there is an exchange operation form where the entry of the money into Israel is recorded.”
(Read more: What does Pegasus mean and why is it a trend in Colombia?)
PORTFOLIO
*With information from EL TIEMPO-JUSTICIA
