Former Colombian Official Laura Sarabia Pleads Not Guilty to Charges Over Polygraph Test

Former Colombian Foreign Minister and former head of the Administrative Department of the Presidency (Dapre), Laura Camila Sarabia Torres, pleaded not guilty on September 14 after being charged with abuse of public function, aggravated illegal coercion, and misappropriation of use. The charges stem from an incident in 2023 involving a polygraph test administered to Marelbys Meza, who was then the nanny for Sarabia's son. During the hearing before a Bogotá judge, Sarabia stated that she did not accept the charges narrated by the Attorney General's Office.

The prosecution alleges that Sarabia used her power and influence as chief of staff to President Gustavo Petro to order the police to conduct the polygraph test on Meza. This action followed the reported disappearance of a bag containing documents and cash from Sarabia's apartment. While one source mentions the missing sum as 150 million pesos, another reports a figure of 4 billion Colombian pesos. The prosecution argues that Sarabia exceeded her official duties by utilizing government resources and personnel for a private matter.

Sarabia's defense attorney, former Attorney General Mario Iguarán, suggested that the prosecution might be inflating the charges. The judge recognized Marelbys Meza and the Dapre as victims in the case, while denying requests to recognize other individuals as victims. The case originally began with a complaint filed by Meza in May 2023, which also included allegations of illegal phone interceptions.