Singer Blessd faces pre-trial detention hearing for alleged extortion kidnapping

Colombian reggaeton star Stiven Mesa Londoño, known internationally as Blessd, and his manager Santiago Jaramillo Morán are back in court for a pre-trial detention hearing. The proceedings, which resumed on June 16 after being suspended for over 10 hours the previous Friday, concern allegations of aggravated extortion kidnapping. The case also involves Laura Moreno Restrepo and Julián David Giraldo Arboleda.

Prosecutors are pushing for jail time for the accused, citing a summation of ongoing complaints. Fiscal Mendoza presented arguments for over four hours, requesting the judge impose pre-trial detention in a correctional facility. The alleged kidnapping victim is Andrés Felipe Sánchez, an impersonator of the artist Ozuna.

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The prosecution has not presented a single piece of evidence that allows us to establish that the singer was the instigator of the aggravated extortion kidnapping.

The defense, however, is contesting the prosecution's case. Blessd's lawyer, Andrés Arango, stated that the prosecution has not presented any evidence proving his client instigated the crime. Meanwhile, Dímelo Jara's lawyer, Santiago Trespalacios, argued that the facts do not constitute kidnapping, suggesting the victim only claimed to be kidnapped weeks ago, four years after his initial statement. Trespalacios proposed that the alleged actions better fit illicit coercion.

Lawyers for Moreno and Giraldo asserted their clients played minor roles and have cooperated with authorities since 2022. The hearing continues as the court weighs the arguments presented by both the prosecution and the defense regarding the alleged events of June 1, 2022.

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The prosecution has built a case around conduct that has not been configured... the Ozuna impersonator did not establish that he was kidnapped until a few weeks ago, four years after presenting his first sworn statement.