The Special Investigation Unit (Unidad Especial de Investigación) of the Office of the Attorney General, within the framework of the investigation and prosecution strategy related to acts affecting human rights defenders, obtained a prison sentence against Yeison Alberto Yepes Barreneche, alias Moraito, as alleged responsible for the crime of the communal leader recognized by the UN, Fabián Alberto Álvarez Marín, perpetrated in July 2017. The measure was pronounced by a supervisory judge in Medellín (Antioquia).
The investigation that was carried out under the guidelines established by the Attorney General, Francisco Barbosa Delgado, in order to clarify the facts that attempt against social leaders in Colombia, also made it possible to show that alias Moraito would be a member of the Organized Criminal Group (GDO) Peñitas, which operated in the so-called ‘Comuna 13’ in Medellín.
The facts took place on July 14, 2017 in neighborhood San Javier La Loma in Medellín, where the communal leader was killed with a firearm. In the same action, Jhon Alexánder Muñoz Areiza, 22, was injured.
Yepes Barreneche was arrested on October 29. By virtue of a court order and based on the evidence collected, the Office of the Attorney General charged him with aggravated homicide with aggravated criminal conspiracy, attempted murder and manufacture, trafficking, possession of firearms, accessories, parts or ammunition.
The Office of the Attorney General makes this information public for reasons of general interest.