Néstor Humberto Martínez denies influence trafficking in the case of former councilman Felipe Ríos

In a five-point statement issued on March 31, former prosecutor Néstor Humberto Martínez clarified that he never sought, spoke or met with prosecutor Angelica Monsalve — recently transferred to Putumayo — after the official sought charges against three businessmen members of the Ríos Velilla family.

Martínez assured that he did not send or deliver “a paper” suggesting to prosecutor Monsalve that there was no reason for the allegation. The former prosecutor stressed that he only facilitated the appointment, in which, he says, he did not attend.

“There was never a “summit” between Alberto Ríos, Rodrigo Noguera and the subscriber. I haven't talked about it with Dr. Catalina Noguera either.” The former prosecutor said in a five-point statement sent to various media outlets.

This is the full statement from former prosecutor Néstor Humberto Martínez

“In relation to several media questions about my intervention in the case of former councilman Felipe Ríos, I would like to report:

1. On February 28, Dr. Alberto Ríos consulted my opinion on a case involving his son and told me that the actions of Prosecutor Angelica Monsalve could correspond to political persecution against her family. By the name of the official, I remembered that Dr. Rodrigo Noguera had presented me with his resume and he had emphasized that he was a person of special merit, who had come from Venezuela and was going through difficulties. Therefore, I told her that Dr. Noguera could give her peace of mind about the suitability and solvency of the prosecutor.

2. My activity was limited to facilitating the appointment, in which I was not present. There was never a “summit” between Alberto Ríos, Rodrigo Noguera and the subscriber. Nor have I talked about it with Dr. Catalina Noguera.

3. On Tuesday, March 8, in the morning, Dr. Noguera told me that the prosecutor wanted to meet me at 4 in the afternoon, because she did not agree with the paper she had received. I told Dr. Noguera that I did not meet with prosecutors in private and that, in addition, I did not know what role was being discussed, since I had not referred anything to her.

4. I immediately inquired which document Dr. Noguera was referring to and was informed that it was a summary of the case, which Dr. Ríos had prepared. I asked to be released a copy and received it on my cell phone on Thursday, March 10, when I met him.

5. On the same afternoon of March 8, I received a call from Dr. Noguera stating that the prosecutor insisted on greeting me the next day (March 9) and that she had enormous gratitude to me for appointing her. I reiterated that it seemed inappropriate to me and in fact I did NOT attend any meetings.

6. In short, I have not searched, not spoken or met with Prosecutor Monsalve, let alone sent her any documents and I do not know the extent of her conversations with third parties”

It should be noted that the Prosecutor's Office reported that Angelica Monsalve Gaviria, Attorney Delegate to Circuit Judges of the Bogotá Sectional Directorate, was relocated due to service needs in the Putumayo Sectional Directorate, through Resolution No. 1232 of March 14, 2022, on which the servant filed replenishment appeal on March 29, 2022.

KEEP READING: