Militia leaders' computers raise concerns

BOGOTA, May 30 (UPI) -- Colombia's government is being criticized for failing to keep computers secure that belonged to right-wing militia leaders extradited to the United States, officials say.

Colombia's Interior Ministry said it was investigating where six laptops owned by militia leaders were after the paramilitary bosses were extradited May 13 to the United States on charges related to drugs and terrorism, the Los Angeles Times reported Friday.

The investigation could reveal whether anyone corrupted the laptop computers, chief prosecutor Mario Iguaran said.

Officials say they have not found the laptop owned by paramilitary leader Salvatore Mancuso, but a hard drive that belonged to Ramiro "Cuco" Vanoy was turned in several days after Vanoy was extradited with 13 others.

Four additional computers were not kept secure for one or two days after the leaders were sent to the United States, the report said.

Prison authorities gave a number of the computers to the militia leaders' relatives or lawyers before they were taken back into the government's possession, the Times said.