A federal appeals court in Atlanta has ruled that an immigration judge made an error in denying asylum to a Colombian lawyer and political activist. The three-judge panel overturned the judge's 2005 ruling that found Ximena Sanz de Santamaria's treatment by the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia did NOT rise to the level of political persecution. Santamaria was kidnapped and beaten. Her family friend was also tortured and murdered for refusing to give information on Santamaria's whereabouts.
