Colombian Ombudsman launches investigation into riots in jails

The demonstration ended with security forces shooting at prisoners, killing 23 and wounding at least 83.

The Colombian Prosecutor's Office said it will open an investigation into the deaths of 23 prisoners after protests on March 22 in La Modelo jail in Bogota. 

The prisoners requested the government to adopt  urgent preventive measures against the Covid-19 inside the prison facility. The demonstration ended with security forces shooting at prisoners, killing 23 and wounding at least 83.

The Prosecutor Office said in a statement: "The Attorney General's Office has begun an investigation into the events which ended in the death of 23 prisoners in La Modelo jail in Bogota and two in the Combita jail in Boyaca. This office will also interviewed prisoners."  

In addition to La Modelo, there were demonstrations in the prisons of La Picota and in the women prison of El Buen Pastor in Bogotá. Protests were also carried out in the maximum security prison of Cómbita in the department of Boyacá; in Picaleña (Ibagué); in Jamundí (Valle del Cauca), and in Pedregal and Bellavista in Antioquia, among others.