Jorge Molano was one of the victims of the illegal wiretapping carried out by the Department of Administrative Security (DAS)[1]. During 2009, Molano was the target of continuous intimidation and surveillance by persons unknown, both at his home and at work[2]. At the time, he attributed this persecution to the cases he handled. “The case of the disappeared of the Palace of Justice had become high level. Moreover, Army officials have been linked to the 2005 San José de Apartadó massacre. The cases that I work on link members of the National Army to the crimes”.[3]
Among the most severe attacks against Jorge Molano between 2012 and 2014, the following are worthy of note:
Threats and attacks
- 10 October 2012: Death threat against Jorge Molano received by Alfamir Castillo (mother of an extrajudicial execution victim represented by Molano). The threat was madetwo days before the indictment hearing charging two high-ranking military commanders for these acts[4].
Monitoring and Surveillance
- February 2013: Attorney Jorge Molano and other members of the NGO Sembrar Corporation are subjected to monitoring and wiretapping[5].
Other
- 15 May 2014: Attorneys Jorge Molano and Germán Romero (members of dHColombia and Sembrar) decided to halt their legal work due to the lack of security guarantees and the multitude of threats made against them and their families.[6]
[1] El Espectador, Comisión Interamericana pide cuentas de protección a abogado Jorge Molano, 11 December 2009
[2] El Espectador, Denuncian riesgo latente de muerte contra abogado Jorge Molano, 2 December 2009
[3] Interview with Jorge Molano: “I am taking such good care of myself that I stopped using sunblock” In: PBI Colombia, April 2010
[4] FrontlineDefenders, Case History: Jorge Eliecer Molano: case study, no date
[5] El Espectador, “Defensor de familiares de los desaparecidos denunció seguimientos”, 22 February 2013
[6] DH Colombia, Abogados representantes judiciales de victimas suspenden sus actividades ante la falta de garantías, 15 May 2014