Colombia: Court Sentences Ex-Detectives for Aggravated Psychological Torture in Claudia Julieta Duque Case
Duque was relentlessly harassed from 2001 to 2004 for her investigative reporting on the murder of journalist Jaime Garzón
Location: Colombia, Bogotá
Date: April 30, 2024
Women Press Freedom stands firmly with Claudia Julieta Duque, a journalist who was consistently threatened and psychologically abused by various members of the Administrative Department of Security (DAS). Duque was targeted for her investigation into the 1999 assassination of journalist Jaime Garzón by government officials. We applaud the court's decision to sentence Emiro Rojas Granados, the former deputy director of DAS, and Néstor Pachón Bermúdez, a former detective of the same agency, to 174 and 150 months in prison, respectively, for the psychological torture inflicted upon Duque from 2001 to 2004. The court's ruling confirmed that these attacks constitute a crime against humanity. We also acknowledge the indictment of José Miguel Narváez, who is implicated in Duque's aggravated psychological torture, alongside Ronal Harbey Rivera Rodríguez. Women Press Freedom documented that Rodriguez was convicted by the Bogotá Superior District Court last November. We urge the court to ensure all those involved in the egregious efforts to hinder Duque's journalistic work and the orchestration of psychological warfare against her face justice. The court must deliver appropriate punishment for all offenders. It is crucial for courts to uphold democratic values by ensuring that impunity does not prevail.
On April 30, 2024, the Tenth Specialized Criminal Court sentenced the former deputy director of the DAS, Emiro Rojas Granados, and the former detective of that entity, Néstor Pachón Bermúdez, to 174 and 150 months in prison, respectively, for the psychological torture of Claudia Julieta Duque. The court confirmed that the attacks against Duque were a crime against humanity. As a measure of reinstatement of law, the President of the Republic of Colombia was ordered to meet in person with Duque and offer her "public apologies in a solemn act."
The 226-page ruling detailed how Duque and her family became the targets of constant threats and persecution by DAS following her investigations into the murder of Jaime Garzón and her revelation of DAS's alleged involvement in the crime. The journalist reported numerous attacks, including kidnapping, robbery, threats, monitoring, and harassment, which led her to go into exile in 2001. The harassment resumed upon her return to Colombia in August 2002.
The court, after examining the investigation's findings, found the former DAS deputy director guilty of continued aggravated torture and conspiracy to commit a crime. Granados was sentenced to 174 months, or 14.5 years, in prison, fined 4,200 minimum monthly wages, and disqualified from holding public office for the duration of his sentence.
The court also sentenced former DAS agent Pachón Bermúdez to 150 months, or 12.5 years, in prison for the crime of continued aggravated torture. Additionally, Bermúdez was fined 1,500 minimum wages and disqualified from holding public office for the same period.
According to the ruling, Granados, due to his hierarchical position, was aware of the illegal intelligence activities deployed against Duque. When Duque began an independent investigation into a high-profile homicide, specific DAS officials, including Granados, arranged for her to be surveilled, intercepted without a court order, and threatened to halt her investigation.
The court declared that the actions taken against Duque and her family from July 23, 2001, to December 18, 2004, caused the journalist to suffer psychological damage that affected her personality and life project due to the threats, harassment, and surveillance.
Regarding the former agent Bermúdez's responsibility, the court found that he was working as a professional detective of DAS at the time of the events. Additionally, one of the vehicles used to stalk and harass Duque between July, August, and September 2001 was owned by DAS and assigned to Pachón during that time.
On April 17, 2024, in a high-profile trial before the Tenth Specialized Criminal Court of Bogotá, evidence was presented implicating former Administrative Department of Security (DAS) director José Miguel Narváez as the person responsible for designing and executing the “Political Warfare” — a strategy in which he used military intelligence and counterintelligence to systematically and psychologically attack Duque.
Narváez who is believed to be the mastermind behind Garzón's murder vehemently refuted accusations of crimes against humanity committed against Duque. Moreover, Narváez and his defense insinuated a conspiracy, suggesting Duque's complicity.
While acknowledging the existence of a criminal cabal within DAS aimed at persecuting human rights advocates and dissenting journalists, Narváez's lawyer contended that the accused had no ties to DAS during the period of the alleged offenses against Duque. This stance seemingly disregards Narváez's overarching responsibility as the de facto superior commander tasked with devising and executing the "Political Warfare" strategy.
Women Press Freedom is committed to closely monitoring Duque's case and will continue to advocate for press freedom.
Women Press Freedom stands firmly in solidarity with Claudia Julieta Duque as she continues her quest for justice amidst these legal proceedings. We commend the court's decision that confirmed that these attacks are crimes against humanity. We urge the court to hold all those involved in the deplorable attempts to impede Duque's journalistic work and the orchestration of psychological warfare against her accountable. It is crucial for the court to dispense appropriate punishment for all perpetrators. Courts must uphold democratic values by ensuring that impunity is not allowed to persist.
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The Coalition For Women In Journalism is a global organization of support for women journalists. The CFWIJ pioneered mentorship for mid-career women journalists across several countries around the world and is the first organization to focus on the status of free press for women journalists. We thoroughly document cases of any form of abuse against women in any part of the globe. Our system of individuals and organizations brings together the experience and mentorship necessary to help female career journalists navigate the industry. Our goal is to help develop a strong mechanism where women journalists can work safely and thrive.
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