Colombian Human Rights Case May Go to Military

The case against Colombian retired army colonel Luis Alfonso Plazas Vega for his role in the disappearance of 11 people in 1985 may go to the country's military justice system, should a civilian judge rule in favour of the request.

Luis Alfonso Plazas was arrested in July 2007 in relation to the disappearances, which took place during the military assault on the Palace of Justice in Bogotá.
The assault took place after M-19 guerrillas took those inside hostage in November 1985. Over 100 people died, including 12 Supreme Court judges.

It would seem that handing over the case to the military would go against a 1997 Constitutional Court decision that ruled that all cases implicating the security forces in serious human rights abuses must be investigated by the civilian justice system.

Human rights organizations may have a reason for concern.

Source : Amnesty International, El Espectador, IPS