David Espinosa, attorney for the Graham family, spoke in an interview with Blu Radio on the case of Zulma Guzmán, the businesswoman detained in the United Kingdom since December 2025 and accused of allegedly sending raspberries with thallium that caused the death of two minors in Bogotá in April of the same year.
Zulma Guzmán would be virtually charged by the Prosecutor’s Office. Photo:Private file
The criminal requested that the charges be brought to fruition as soon as possible, because the hearings that will define whether the United Kingdom extradites her They are scheduled between November 2 and 5.
For its part, days ago The Prosecutor’s Office announced that it will charge Guzmán with the charges of homicide in homogeneous competition and attempted aggravated homicide.
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Because the imputation matters?
For Espinosa, the decision of the Prosecutor’s Office is not decisive, but it is can positively influence London. “It seems to us that it can send a very solid message to the United Kingdom,” he said, since would show that Colombia does not request extradition of a person about whom there is hardly any suspicion, but of someone for whom there is, at least for the Prosecutor’s Office, “absolute conviction of his responsibility.”
The Prosecutor’s Office, however, scheduled the virtual hearing for November 9at 8:00 am, that is, after the extradition hearings.
The Prosecutor’s Office will charge Guzmán with thallium poisoning. Photo:the time
Asked why the indictment came so long after his arrest, the lawyer said that “I wouldn’t classify it as negligence.” In his opinion, The Prosecutor’s Office wanted to gather an evidentiary thesis “as solid as possible” and, although the standard for charging would have been reached a long time ago, it continued to accumulate elements.
He added that the accusing body I expected the extradition to be fasterbut in the United Kingdom the procedure exceeded what is done in Colombia. According to Espinosa, there it has become “almost a mini liability trial,” so It was decided to impute it virtually and not keep waiting.
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What if The United Kingdom does not decide or denies it?
The lawyer clarified that, even if London did not resolve between November 2 and 5, or denied the extradition, The criminal process would continue in Colombia.
According to your explanation, Guzmán would have three paths: ask to be extradited voluntarily to defend herself in person, remain in London and appear virtually, or refuse to respond, in which case would be declared in default —when the duly notified accused does not appear at the hearing and there are no justified reasons for his absence to be justified— and a public defender would be assigned.
Zulma Guzmán has been detained in the United Kingdom since December 2025. Photo:Zulma Guzman
“Let’s hope that Zulma come and show her face and defend itself with all procedural guarantees,” he said, and affirmed that The family is ready to fight in law and with evidence.
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Which research shows, according to the lawyer
Espinosa maintained that the Prosecutor’s Office Guzmán has been identified as the person who coordinated and sent the raspberries, with another name and another ID on the home service account.
He said that whoever delivered them He insisted the courier returnbecause the girls didn’t want to receive a “gift” that no one had asked for, and then sent a tip.
He added that in a locker at Club El Nogal thallium, latex gloves and a costume were found that matches the description of the home.
The authorities found this when they raided Zulma Guzmán’s locker in an important club in Bogotá. Photo:Screenshot.
“The thesis that exists at this moment is that she carried out all the criminal actions that led to the death and attempted murder of two other minors, and that is something that cannot go unpunished“said the lawyer.
Regarding the possible existence of accomplices, Espinosa said that, for now, what has been proven points to an independent performance by Guzmánalthough he acknowledged that other names have been mentioned in the case.
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The death of Alicia Graham
The criminal lawyer separated this case from that of Alicia Graham, mother of Inés de Bedout, one of the poisoned girls, who passed away in August 2021. He said the family believes it was not a natural death and that has asked the Prosecutor’s Office to investigate it.
According to her story, she she would have been treated for thallium poisoning and, after an apparent detoxification, he presented the same symptoms again. During her last hospitalization, an initial examination did not find thallium, but other examinations ordered by the treating physician, which were not included in the medical history and were later recovered, showed new contamination.
Alicia Graham and her husband, Juan de Bedout. Photo:EL TIEMPO/ Private Archive
Espinosa specified that This investigation is in a “very preliminary” stage. and? No person or hypothesis is ruled out.. He said that today he cannot attribute responsibility to anyone for that death. “In the case of the girls, I have an absolute conviction, an intimate certainty of the responsibility of Zulma Guzmán. The same cannot be said… regarding the case of Alicia,” he indicated.
Zulma Guzmán publicly admitted to having had an extramarital relationship for six or seven years with Juan de Bedout, husband of Alicia Graham.
María Alejandra Mesa Munévar
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