From Republican to Libertarian: Narcos Lawyer Chairs Arica Security Commission
arica Regional Councilor’s Past Defending accused Criminals Under Scrutiny
ARICA, Chile – Lin-kiu Ly Fumey, now a regional councilor for Arica, is facing scrutiny over her previous career as a lawyer, where she defended individuals accused of serious crimes, including drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. Ly Fumey currently presides over the Security Commission of the Regional Council.
elected in October 2024, Ly Fumey initially joined the council as part of a Republican quota but later aligned with the National Libertarian Party (NLP).Her background has raised questions, especially given her new role overseeing security matters for the region.
Defense of Drug Trafficking Cases
Records indicate Ly Fumey defended individuals in at least 40 drug trafficking cases. One notable case involved a Peruvian citizen accused of importing and distributing liquid ketamine in Arica. This city has struggled with organized crime, including activity from cells of the Aragua Train gang, which contributed to a surge in homicides in 2022.
Ly fumey resigned from representing the Peruvian citizen eight days after being elected as a councilor. The individual was later convicted of drug trafficking.
Another client, Roberto Cristóbal carlos Paicho, was convicted of trafficking half a ton of cannabis sativa. Ly Fumey secured probation for Paicho in 2020 after his initial arrest in 2016.
She also represented Jhaisson Gallego González, a Colombian citizen accused of drug trafficking and assaulting a police officer during an arrest. Gallego was acquitted after Ly Fumey argued there was insufficient evidence linking him to the criminal association.
Migrant Smuggling Cases
Ly Fumey’s legal work also extended to cases involving migrant smuggling, a meaningful issue in the Arica and Parinacota region due to its proximity to Peru and Bolivia.
She represented a Bolivian citizen convicted of migrant smuggling after being caught guiding six people across the border with Peru in November 2022. Additionally, she was involved in a sexual trafficking case initiated in Arica in 2023.
In a statement, Ly Fumey emphasized everyone’s right to defense and stated her work was “part of a strictly professional relationship, limited in time and circumscribed to the judicial field.” She added, “Today, as a regional counselor, I am completely dedicated to this new role, with a total commitment to the region.”
Association with Other Legal Professionals
Ly Fumey has been linked to Trinidad Parra Correa,a former candidate for senator who has also defended individuals accused of drug trafficking. While Ly Fumey stated she does not recall working with Parra Correa, records indicate they jointly represented a client in the past.
Potential Conflict of Interest
Until recently, Ly Fumey was listed by the Comptroller’s Office as a lawyer restricted from holding state positions due to her involvement in drug law cases. However, this restriction does not apply to elected officials.
As president of the Security, Prevention and Disaster Commission, Ly Fumey is involved in decisions regarding resource allocation for security-related institutions.
“He has no access to facts, but to resource contribution decisions for institutions related to security. He decides whether they buy patrols, if they finance cameras in jail, etc.” said a source familiar with the processes.
republican Party Response
The Republican Party, Ly Fumey’s former political affiliation, stated they were unaware of the specific cases she handled as a lawyer. They emphasized their commitment to fighting organized crime and drug trafficking.
“Clearly if we had had the information, we would not have taken her as a candidate to our Lin-Kiu Ly Fumey, who today understands militates in another political party.Our conviction and strength to fight against organized crime, drug trafficking and crime is unwavering and non-transitable,” the party said in a statement.
National Libertarian Party Review
The National Libertarian Party, Ly Fumey’s current party, is reviewing the situation. Juan Antonio Urzúa, Secretary general, stated they are collecting information and will make it available to the Supreme Court of the party for a determination.
“In the same exercise according to the statutes,it is contemplated that the aforementioned person can make the respective discharges and the TS will resolve in their merit,” Urzúa said.
Ly Fumey’s Full Statement:
As a lawyer with more than ten years of professional practice, I have developed my work in various areas of law, such as family, labor and criminal. In all these areas, I have acted with full ethical and professional commitment, guided by the principles that govern the exercise of law and constitutional guarantees that protect both freedom of work and access to an adequate legal defense for all.
In a rule of law, every person has the right to defense, without any distinction, and that was the basis of my work as a criminal defender. Each case assumed was part of a strictly professional relationship, limited over time and circumscribed to the judicial field. My work was developed under clear ethical standards, fulfilling the duty to provide legal portrayal to those who require it, as the law establishes.
Today, as a regional counselor, I am completely dedicated to this new role, with a total commitment to the region. From the beginning of my functions I perform with full dedication, professionalism and constant assistance in my charge. The experience acquired as a lawyer, together with my training with a diploma in organized crime and my participation in the National Cosoc of the Undersecretariat of Crime Prevention, are tools that today I put at the service of a serious management, responsible and oriented to strengthen the public safety and well -being of the inhabitants of our region.
Lin-Kiu Ly, Lawyer
Lin-kiu Ly Fumey: Questions Raised About Her Past as a Criminal Defense Lawyer
Lin-kiu Ly Fumey, a regional councilor in Arica, Chile, has been under scrutiny due to her previous career as a lawyer. Her past work defending individuals accused of serious crimes, including drug trafficking and migrant smuggling, has sparked controversy, especially considering her current role overseeing regional security matters. This Q&A delves into the details of the situation.
What is the current role of Lin-kiu Ly Fumey?
Lin-kiu ly Fumey is currently a regional councilor for Arica, Chile. She presides over the Security, Prevention and Disaster Commission, which is responsible for making decisions about the allocation of resources for security-related institutions.
What is the nature of the scrutiny surrounding her?
The scrutiny stems from her past career as a lawyer. Before becoming a regional councilor, Ly Fumey defended individuals accused of serious crimes, including drug trafficking and migrant smuggling. This background is now being questioned, given her current role in overseeing regional security.
What types of cases did Ly Fumey handle as a lawyer?
According to the article, Ly Fumey defended individuals in a variety of criminal cases including:
- Drug Trafficking: Defending individuals charged with importing and distributing drugs such as ketamine and cannabis sativa.
- Migrant Smuggling: Representing clients accused of assisting individuals in illegally crossing the border.
- Assault of a Police Officer: Represented a client accused of drug trafficking who had assaulted a police officer.
- Sexual Trafficking: represented a client in a sexual trafficking case.
How many drug trafficking cases is Ly Fumey reported to have defended?
Records indicate that Ly Fumey defended individuals in at least 40 drug trafficking cases.
Give some examples of the notable cases the article highlights.
- A Peruvian citizen accused of importing and distributing liquid ketamine.
- Roberto Cristóbal Carlos Paicho, who was convicted of trafficking half a ton of cannabis sativa. Ly Fumey secured his probation in 2020.
- Jhaisson Gallego González, a Colombian citizen accused of drug trafficking and assaulting a police officer, who was acquitted following her defense.
Is there any potential conflict of interest due to her current role?
Yes, there is a potential conflict of interest. As president of the Security, Prevention and Disaster Commission, Ly Fumey makes decisions about the allocation of resources to security-related institutions. Given her past association with individuals accused of serious crimes, some critics question whether her decisions could be influenced.
What has the Republican Party, Ly Fumey’s former political affiliation, said about this?
The Republican Party stated that they were unaware of the specific cases Ly Fumey handled as a lawyer. They emphasized their commitment to fighting organized crime and drug trafficking. They also stated that if they had known about the cases, they would not have chosen her to become their candidate.
What is the response from the National Libertarian Party (NLP),Ly Fumey’s current party?
The National libertarian Party (NLP) is currently reviewing the situation.Juan Antonio Urzúa,the Secretary General,stated that they are gathering information and will present it to the Supreme Court of the party for a determination.
Was Ly Fumey previously restricted from holding state positions?
Yes, until recently, Ly Fumey was listed by the Comptroller’s Office as a lawyer restricted from holding state positions due to her involvement in drug law cases. However, this restriction does not apply to elected officials.
What is Ly Fumey’s response to the situation?
In a statement,Ly Fumey emphasized the right to defense for every individual and stated her work “was part of a strictly professional relationship,limited in time and circumscribed to the judicial field.” She also highlighted her dedication to her current role as regional councilor and her commitment to the region, suggesting that her experience as a lawyer, including her training in organized crime and her participation in crime prevention initiatives, are tools she uses in her current function.
“In a rule of law, every person has the right to defense, without any distinction, and that was the basis of my work as a criminal defender.” - lin-kiu ly Fumey
Did Ly Fumey work with other legal professionals, and could this raise any further questions?
yes, the article links Ly Fumey to Trinidad Parra Correa, a former candidate for senator who also defended individuals accused of drug trafficking. While Ly Fumey stated she does not recall working with Parra Correa, records indicate they jointly represented a client in the past.
key Takeaways
here’s a summary of the key points from the article:
- Background: Lin-kiu Ly Fumey is a regional councilor in Arica, Chile.
- Controversy: scrutiny surrounds her past career as a lawyer, defending individuals accused of serious crimes.
- Cases: She defended clients in numerous drug trafficking and migrant smuggling cases.
- Conflict of Interest: Potential conflict of interest concerns arise from her role overseeing security while having a history of defending those accused of crimes.
- Political Responses: Both the Republican Party and the National Libertarian Party are addressing the situation.
- Ly Fumey’s Stance: She emphasizes the right to defense and dedicates herself to her current role.