[FARC].”32 Two of the alleged masterminds were granted pretrial release on December 10, 1999 and January 6, 2000.33 56. On January 17, 2000, the Regional Prosecutor’s Office evaluated the evidence produced during investigation and issued an indictment against a businessman as alleged mastermind, and two individuals as perpetrators. In addition, it revoked the pretrial release granted and closed the investigation against the former mayor of Pitalito.34 2. Theories of investigation on the masterminds and motives for Nelson Carvajal Carvajal’s murder 57. At the beginning of the pretrial phase of the criminal proceeding, the 22nd District Office of the Public Prosecutor indicated that “from what has been outlined thus far, we can infer that the murder of journalist and educator Nelson Carvajal Carvajal was because of, or for reasons relating to, his profession, especially given the type of exposé reporting he did”35 (supra para. 46). The Regional Prosecutor’s Office cane to the same conclusion based on “the intelligence reports, direct and confidential witness statements, and documentary evidence” gathered during the pretrial phase of the criminal proceeding (supra para. 49). 58. Indeed, according to the statements provided by various witnesses during the investigation conducted in this case, prior to his death, Carvajal Carvajal had reported on corruption in local politics and was working on a report about money laundering related to arms and drug trafficking in the area. Witnesses also said that Carvajal had a meeting scheduled for the day after his death with the Municipal Ombudsman in order to give a statement on acts of municipal government corruption reported on his radio program. 59. According to the statement given by a coworker from the Radio Sur radio station, Carvajal’s murder “was on account of his journalistic work, as the public figures who have committed irregularities against the interests of the municipality viewed him as an obstacle.”36 The journalist’s sister Judith Carvajal stated in her affidavit with respect for the motives for her brother’s murder that she believed “it all stems from Nelson’s work as a journalist, because he denounced corruption. It turned out that when Nelson began serving on the town council he started realizing a lot of things that were not okay, and also a lot of people looked to him for support to be able to denounce things and make them public.”37 In this same regard, Carvajal’s brother stated in his affidavit that he believed that Nelson’s death was a result of his journalistic work, especially because of the criticism he leveled.38 A member of the Pitalito town council gave a statement indicating that “Nelson had a lot of problems because of his work as a journalist, because he exposed irregularities committed by the government led by the mayor […] and by the Council’s majority coalition.”39 32 Attachment 18. Criminal Court of the Specialized Circuit of Neiva, Huila. Public hearing in Case No. 2000-0090. Prosecution of Fernando Bermúdez Ardila, Víctor Félix Trujillo, and Alfaro Quintero Alvarado, for the offense of murder. Hearing No. 047. November 29, 2000. p. 31. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of August 25, 2005. 33 Attachment 4. Superior Court for the Judicial District. Criminal Judgment Division. Judgment of April 6, 2001. p. 4. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of October 17, 2002. 34 Attachment 4. Superior Court for the Judicial District. Criminal Judgment Division. Judgment of April 6, 2001. pp. 4-5. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of October 17, 2002. 35 Attachment 11. Office of the Prosecutor General. 22nd District Office of the Public Prosecutor assigned to the Criminal Courts of the Pitalito Circuit, Huila. April 21, 1998. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of August 25, 2005. 36 Attachment 1. Office of the Prosecutor General. Regional Office of the Public Prosecutor Special Terrorism Unit. Case 33.744. COD. -210-209. Santafé de Bogotá D.C. January 18, 1999. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of August 25, 2005. 37 Attachment 12. 22nd Office of the Prosecutor assigned to the Criminal Courts of the Pitalito Circuit. Statement of Judith Carvajal Carvajal. April 28, 1998. p. 1. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of August 25, 2005. 38 Attachment 1. Office of the Prosecutor General. Regional Office of the Public Prosecutor Special Terrorism Unit. Case 33.744. COD. -210-209. Santafé de Bogotá D.C. January 18, 1999. Attachment to the petitioner��s communication of August 25, 2005. 39 Attachment 1. Office of the Prosecutor General. Regional Office of the Public Prosecutor Special Terrorism Unit. Case 33.744. COD. -210-209. Santafé de Bogotá D.C. January 18, 1999. Attachment to the petitioner’s communication of August 25, 2005.