WORLD : Belgium Offers Threatened Colombian Judges Sanctuary
BRUSSELS — Belgium will offer sanctuary to Colombian judges threatened by the country’s drug barons, the Justice Ministry said today.
A spokeswoman said Justice Minister Melchior Wathelet decided to grant residency to Colombian magistrates after meeting the leader of their professional organization, Nino Perez, last week.
Judges have been among the main targets of bombings and killings by Colombian drug cartels since the Bogota government declared war on cocaine traffickers two months ago, backed with legal powers to extradite ringleaders to the United States.
The Colombian Embassy in Brussels said discussions had started with Belgian authorities on the practical details of Wathelet’s offer.
Sign up for Essential California
The most important California stories and recommendations in your inbox every morning.
You may occasionally receive promotional content from the Los Angeles Times.
