18 Colombia and seek asylum in the United States. 42 Mr. Vélez had the assistance of the Colombian State for this purpose. 43 On July 30, 1998, Mr. Vélez was granted political asylum in the United States of America. 44 Between October 9, 1997 and September 12, 1998, he was forced to remain separated from this family. 93. In effect, while Mr. Vélez was waiting for a decision on his asylum application in the United States and while he was trying to find work to help his family, his wife Aracelly Román Amariles and children Mateo and Juliana Vélez Román remained in Colombia. The members of the family had to abandon their home in Bogotá and move to Medellín, where they stayed for almost one year in fear and in a precarious economic situation that forced Mrs. Román to send her son Mateo to live with another family member, causing deep psychological effects. 45 Finally, on August 13, 1998, they also obtained political asylum in the United States and were able to be reunited with Mr. Vélez on September 12, 1998. 46 The family has lived in the United States since then for fear of returning to Colombia. 47 94. The Vélez Román family has been profoundly affected by the harassment they suffered, by the family separation they lived through for almost one year, and by their exile in the United States. All the members of the family suffer from tension and anxiety and have had to seek psychological help. 48 The professional lives of Mr. Vélez, who is separated from his career as a journalist, and of Mrs. Román, who had to abandon her studies, have been affected, with negative consequences for the economic situation of the whole family group. 49 The members of the family have suffered from the separation of their families in Colombia, especially their elderly parents. 50 Mr. Vélez's mother died in December 2000 without his being able to travel to Colombia either before or after her death. 51 Procedural Steps 95. In relation to the acts of aggression suffered by Mr. Vélez on August 29, 1996, and the subsequent threats against him and his family, various judicial and disciplinary proceedings were initiated at the domestic level. 96. Based on the August 29, 1996, attack and the public circulation of the evidence obtained by the journalist Vélez, Brigadier General Néstor Ramírez Mejía, in his position as Commander of the 12th Army Brigade, disciplined Non-commissioned officer Second Class William 42 See Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, p. 16; Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, p. 15. A fact partially conceded by the State of Colombia in its Brief received on August 4, 2009, p. 11. 43 Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, p. 15. A fact conceded by the State of Colombia in its Brief received on August 4, 2009, p. 29. 44 Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, Annex 42, Letter of Patricia A. Trubiano, Director of the Asylum Office, United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, to Luis Gonzalo Vélez Restrepo, July 30, 1998. 45 Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, p. 17. A fact not denied by the State. 46 Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, p. 18; Annex 44, United States Immigration and Naturalization Service, action notification, August 14, 1998. A fact not denied by the State. 47 Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, pp. 16-17. 48 Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, pp. 18-19; Annex 32, letter of psychiatrist Dr. Constanza Velásquez. A fact not denied by the State. 49 Initial Petition received on July 29, 2005, pp. 18-19; Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, p. 14-16. A fact not denied by the State. 50 Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, p. 17. A fact not denied by the State. 51 Petitioners’ Brief received on November 7, 2008, p. 17. A fact not denied by the State.