Police officers who attacked two journalists and a young man during riots in Bogotá are separated from their positions and duties

(CNN Spanish) – Several members of the Mobile Anti-Riot Squad (Esmad) of the Colombian National Police were separated from their positions and functions for “committing an irregular procedure” during the disturbances that occurred in Suba, northwest of Bogotá, where two journalists and two journalists were attacked. a young man.

This was reported on Tuesday by General Óscar Gómez Heredia, commander in charge of the Metropolitan Police.

«We continue the investigation and we will take the pertinent actions that correspond. We also relieved all the personnel of that section who were proceeding in that locality, “said the commander in a video posted on the official Twitter account of the Bogotá Metropolitan Police.

The riots occurred after a presentation event for the second stage of the Colombian capital subway, held in Suba, and attended by the president of Colombia, Iván Duque, and the mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López.

Katy Sánchez and Alexandra Molina, RCN Radio journalists, were at the scene.

Sánchez told CNN that at the end of the event, several protesters began to throw bricks and other elements at the Public Force and they reacted, so the riots began.

Both journalists began to record what was happening, Sánchez was pushed by a member of Esmad and then received a kick when he was on the floor, Sánchez explained.

His partner continued recording and you can see how several members of the Esmad hit and kick a young man while he was lying on the ground next to his bicycle. The police officers realize that they were being recorded and go on top of Molina and hear how both women identify as journalists.

The mayor of Bogotá, Claudia López, rejected the events that occurred on Tuesday and assured that immediate measures will be taken “on all abuse of authority and act of violence.”

“What happened today in Suba is unacceptable. Members of Esmad who abused force were withdrawn and are immediately under investigation. Bogotá and its citizens are respected! ”López wrote on his Twitter account.

For his part, the Colombian Defense Minister, Diego Molano, reacted on his Twitter account saying that he has asked for immediate measures to verify and investigate the facts.

“All the support to our police officers, also all the demand in their actions,” added Molano.