Wadith Manzur, poursuivi pour l'affaire de l'UNGRD, cherche à devenir sénateur le 20 juillet prochain

Wadith Manzur, a senator-elect accused in the UNGRD corruption case, has sought permission to attend his swearing-in ceremony on July 20. The request comes just days before the new Congress convenes, with legal representatives moving swiftly to secure his release from detention. On Friday, July 17, defense attorney Víctor Mosquera Marín announced that he had formally petitioned the Special First Instance Chamber to allow Manzur to leave the military detention facility where he is currently held. His goal is to participate in the constitutional act of swearing in as a senator, marking the start of the legislative period from 2026 to 2030. Manzur, along with Karen Manrique and four other congressmen, faces charges related to alleged embezzlement from the National Unit for Disaster Risk Management (UNGRD). The defense argues that the current measure of restraint threatens the political rights of the elected senator and undermines the democratic will expressed by over 134,000 voters who supported him. According to the legal team, the request for temporary transfer to the Capitol in Bogotá aims to ensure Manzur can fulfill his constitutional duty. The authorities responsible for his custody will accompany him during this move, ensuring security throughout the process. The defense emphasized that the judicial order imposing preventive detention was issued in a context of heightened democratic sensitivity, particularly during the electoral cycle. They pointed out that the measure was applied solely against two of the six individuals under investigation within the same case, raising concerns about the principle of equality and proportionality in the application of precautionary measures. The legal team called for a thorough review of these circumstances, stressing the need to uphold international standards such as the American Convention on Human Rights. In early March, the Instruction Chamber of the Supreme Court approved the accusation of bribery against Manzur and five other congressmen, including one former member. This ruling placed Manzur under preventive detention in a prison facility. The legal team now seeks to challenge this decision, arguing that it conflicts with the principles of due process and fundamental rights. They have also indicated they will pursue international mechanisms to protect Manzur’s human rights, should the domestic courts fail to provide adequate safeguards. Manzur and Manrique were part of the Interparliamentary Committee on Public Credit during the second half of 2023, where discussions centered around matters of interest to the Petro government. The legislators allegedly accepted offers from officials in the Ministry of Finance in exchange for approving credit operations favorable to the ministry. During documented meetings, it was agreed that the compensation for the lawmakers would involve promoting contracts and projects managed by the UNGRD in the departments of Córdoba, Arauca, and Bolívar. Recent revelations from an undisclosed statement by Sneyder Pinilla suggest that Manrique had requested contracts from the UNGRD for her partner. These allegations highlight the broader pattern of alleged corruption involving several high-profile figures. As the legal battle continues, the outcome of Manzur's appeal could set a precedent for how political detainees are treated ahead of major legislative events. The situation remains under active scrutiny, with further developments anticipated in the coming weeks.