Colombian outrage over early-release plea for serial killer

A proposal to grant early release from prison to one of world's most prolific serial killers has raised outrage in Colombia and a denunciation on Monday from President Iván Duque.

Luis Alfredo Garavito confessed to killing about 190 children, most aged 8 to 16 and received more than 50 long sentences. Prosecutors said sometimes posed as a beggar or a monk and lured poor children with money and soft drinks. He later slit ir throats, sometimes after torturing and raping m.

But Colombia limits prison sentences to 40 years and allows early release for good behavior after more than half a sentence is served.

television program “Los Informantes” revealed on Sunday that national prison institute h asked a judge in May to grant Garavito provisional release because of his “exemplary” behavior in prison.

A judge denied request because Garavito, now 64, h not paid a fine for his victims of roughly $41,500.

“I have profound indignation at possibility that anyone would suggest that that beast leave prison," Duque said in Glasgow, Scotland, where he was attending U.N. climate conference.

“ national government neir sponsors or supports that,” he ded.

Garavito was arrested in April 1999 on an attempted rape charge, but when an investigating judge asked him if he was killer of 114 children whose bodies were found in 59 Colombian towns beginning in 1994, Garavito mitted crimes and begged to be forgiven. n he confessed to 26 more murders.

``I ask you to pardon me for all I have done, and all I will confess. Yes, I killed m — and many ors,″ he said in an excerpt from videotaped confession brocast by Colombian television newscasts.

Garavito showed judge and psychologist his tally of killings that he kept in a battered notebook, according to a leing newspaper, El Tiempo. Across creased pages were scratched 140 lines — one for every victim.

Later, while in prison, he confessed to about 50 or killings.

El Tiempo said Garavito told judge he was oldest of seven children and grew up beaten by his far, and repeatedly raped by two neighbors

He left home at 16, working first as a store clerk, n as a street vendor who sold religious icons and prayer cards.

Prosecutors said Garavito found his victims on street, gaining ir confidence with gifts of soft drinks and money. victims eventually were found with ir throats slit. Some h been tortured and raped.

prison institute issued a statement on Monday saying it h acted “in conformance with legal postulates” by sending documents to judge.