A judge has granted Nicolas Petro, the eldest son of Colombian President Gustavo Petro, conditional freedom while he faces money laundering and illicit enrichment charges connected to financing for his father’s campaign.
Judge Omar Leonardo Beltran rejected a request from the attorney general’s office to impose house arrest on Nicolas Petro, which had been supported by the defence.
“The request for the imposition of a security measure is also accepted … but for non-custodial measures,” the judge ruled.
The judge said prosecutors did not substantiate the need to keep the president’s son in detention or under house arrest. He was ordered released on condition that he not leave Colombia or participate in political activities.
Petro, 37, was arrested last weekend in the city of Barranquilla with his ex-wife, Daysuris del Carmen Vasquez, who is being held on similar charges.
Beltran also decided that Vasquez would remain free while facing charges of money laundering and violation of personal data.
Original from www.aljazeera.com