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