Sept 26, 1996

Dear Friends:

I have received an urgent request from Jose Antonio Lopez, former mayor of 
our sister community Apartad—, for a renewed letter writing campaign on 
his behalf. As you may know, he was imprisoned without due process by his 
political foes for a crime that we (and the former bishop of Apartad—) are 
convinced he could not have committed [i.e., be responsible for La Chinita 
massacre in January 1994].

Here are the most recent developments in his case. The situation is not 
encouraging. The term for having the right to provisional freedom has ended. 
Beginning on August 14th, one year after the date of his detention, Jose 
Antonio should have been released under parole until the case is brought to 
trial. The faceless justice judge denied this right which is guaranteed under 
the law. In addition, the judge set a term of 2 months to present evidence, 
but subsequently and arbitrarily reduced that period to 8 days. Thus Jose 
Antonio is concerned that he will not be able to organize and present his 
evidence in that short time frame.

Please write a letter/fax expressing the following points, as requested by 
Jose Antonio:

1) We are watching the case closely;
2) We are absolutely convinced of the innocence of Jose Antonio Lopez;
3) We expect the judicial system to issue a decision that is in accordance 
with Colombian law;
4) Broad sectors of international opinion are paying attention to this case.

Please send your letter to:

Secretario Dr. Wilson Antonio Montoya Jaramillo
Juzgados Regionales de Medellin
Centro Administrativo La Alpujarra
Piso 22
Medellin, Colombia
Fax (from U.S.): 011-57-4-262-5618

Thank you for your help with this matter.

Sincerely,

Cecilia Zarate-Laun, Colombia Support Network

(Please send copies of any correspondence to CSN)

Colombia Support Network       PO Box 1505      Madison, WI 53701
(608) 257-8753       fax 608 255-6621    csn@igc.apc.org     
http://www.igc.apc.org/csn/