Colombian JEP calls for investigation into alleged illegal surveillance of magistrates

Colombia's Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) has asked the Attorney General's Office to investigate allegations of illegal wiretapping involving its magistrates after allegations that the Constitutional Court, opposition politicians and journalists were allegedly targeted by intelligence agents. These allegations, which suggest surveillance by the National Intelligence Directorate (DNI), have triggered a new scandal for the administration of President Gustavo Petro.

These accusations were revealed by Semana, one of Colombia's main media outlets, which reported that the vice president of the Constitutional Court, Jorge Enrique Ibáñez, had his phone and communications intercepted for several months by the DNI.

Following these revelations, President Petro denied these claims on the social media platform “X”, stating: “From the first day of this administration, the President's order to the intelligence agencies is not to use them against the opposition, the press or the courts. I have made it clear that state intelligence is dedicated to prosecuting major crimes.”

Petro added that a DNI inspection found no private telephone interception equipment, emphasizing: “This government is not doing what others have done in the past.”

The scandal comes just days after Congress's legislative sessions adjourned for the summer recess, postponing debates on several government reforms until lawmakers resume on July 20.

In response to Semana's report, Colombia's parallel justice system also formally requested the Attorney General's Office to investigate allegations of illegal interceptions targeting its magistrates. The JEP was created in 2006 with the signing of the peace agreement between the guerrillas of the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) and the government of President Juan Manuel Santos.

In a letter addressed to Attorney General Luz Adriana Camargo, several JEP magistrates suspect that they have been the subject of unauthorized surveillance in recent months. The letter highlighted concerns about potential threats to the independence and autonomy of the JEP, emphasizing the importance of preserving the democratic principles that govern Colombia.

“This situation constitutes a clear threat to the security of magistrates in this jurisdiction,” said Jairo Ernesto Arias, director of legal affairs of the JEP. The request referred to past threats against the lives of JEP magistrates for carrying out their constitutionally and legally mandated duties. Arias reminded the Attorney General that in 2023, “JEP magistrates received death threats for having exercised the functions constitutionally and legally assigned to them.”

The JEP urged authorities to sanction those responsible if the allegations are confirmed, pledging to fully cooperate with the Attorney General's Office in the investigation. “The seriousness of the events requires verification of the causes which motivated them, as well as the determination of those responsible,” underlined JEP.