Bogotá Police deny racism in Donován Balanta death in Ciudad Bolívar
Brigadier General Giovanni Cristancho ruled out racial discrimination in the case. Four of the seven uniformed officers involved have already been arrested.
Police rule out racial discrimination one month after Balanta's death
One month after Donován Balanta's death during a police procedure in the Caracolí neighbourhood, Ciudad Bolívar locality, the commander of the Bogotá Metropolitan Police ruled out that it was a case of racial discrimination, according to caracol.com.co.
Brigadier General Giovanni Cristancho was emphatic: "Regarding excesses in the use of force and allegations of alleged racial discrimination, our position is clear, no police action can be above the constitution and the law, nor above human dignity, nor fundamental rights".
Cristancho added that the institution maintains its willingness to collaborate with ongoing investigations. From the outset, he said, the seven uniformed officers involved were removed from their posts, a measure that facilitated the arrest of four of them.
"It is up to the judicial authorities to establish criminal responsibilities and the competent bodies to determine disciplinary responsibilities, and as an institution we respect due process and are ready for any requirements that may arise in the investigations", the commander clarified.
The four arrested officers were sent to a prison facility following the charge imputations hearing, at which the Prosecutor's Office presented evidence of their responsibility in Balanta's death, which occurred on 20 September.
Source: Google News CO — Bogotá