Financial news

US offers reward for information regarding assassination of Paraguay prosecutor – JURIST

US officials Thursday announced a $5 million reward for information leading to the arrest or conviction of any individuals responsible for the death of Paraguayan prosecutor Marcello Pecci. In May, Pecci was shot while on his honeymoon in Isla Barú, Cartagena, Colombia. Pecci served as a Paraguayan prosecutor on high-profile organized crime and drug cartel cases.The US Department of State (DOS) offered the reward for “information leading to the arrests and/or convictions of the as yet unknown individuals who conspired or attempted to participate” in Pecci’s death. Specifically, the DOS hopes to identify individuals involved in the financing and ordering of the operation. US Ambassador to Paraguay Marc Ostfield and Paraguayan President Mario Abdo Benítez Thursday announced the award from the Presidential Palace.Colombian officials previously arrested five individuals involved in the planning and execution of Pecci in June. The Colombian investigation revealed that Pecci, as a prosecutor of organized crime, was placed on a death list by multiple criminal organizations, including a Brazilian gang known as the Primeiro Comando da Capital. Colombian officials charged the five individuals with aggravated homicide and aggravated trafficking, manufacturing or possession of firearms. Four of the individuals pleaded guilty and were sentenced to 23.5 years prison. The fifth individual pleaded not guilty.