Colombia: ex-president Uibe sentenced to 12 years of house arrest

Former Colombian President Alvaro Uibe was sentenced on Friday to twelve years of house arrest for the subornation of witness. Meanwhile, procedural fraud, becoming the first former chief of the sentenced and deprived of freedom in Colombia, a source close to the file told AFP.

The ex-right-right-in-law of the 73-year-old right. Therefore, who was at the head of his country from 2002 to 2010, was also prohibited from exercising any public service for more than eight years, according to a judicial document disclosed by the press, whose authenticity was confirmed by a source close to the file under the colombia: ex-president uibe sentenced 12 cover of anonymity.

Alvaro Uibe had been found guilty on Monday that he had tried to put pressure on a witness to avoid being associated with the far -right militias having waged a bloody war on the Guerillas. Therefore, in the first trial targeting a former Colombian president. Meanwhile, He was also prosecuted for procedural fraud.

At the start of Friday’s hearing. Moreover, judge Sandra Heredia protested against the leak in the judgment media – which must be officially announced later – and said that one of the sons of Salvaro Uibe had contributed to it.

“I protest with energy against the treatment inflicted on my children. You have treated me in the worst way. I respected you but I do not accept that you mingle with my family ”to this. prevailing colombia: ex-president uibe sentenced 12 the former president, interrupting the intervention of the magistrate. “Can you be silent, Mr. Uibe?” Reported her.

A few hours before knowing the sentence. the leader of the Colombian right had declared on the social network X that he found refuge with his relatives and “essentially in prayer”.

Colombia: ex-president uibe sentenced 12

Appel

The defense of Alvaro Uibe announced that it would appeal this decision. which it considers politicized and taken under pressure from the left in power. Once the appeal has been made. the case must be transferred to the Bogotá Superior Court, which will have until October 16 to confirm or not the conviction. If this date was exceeded, the procedure would be classified without follow -up.

This court decision is only the part of the iceberg colombia: ex-president uibe sentenced 12 concerning other surveys which connect the former head of state to far -right squadrons. responsible for many crimes against civilians during the armed conflict.

The investigation against Alvaro Uibe had started in 2018. had many twists and turns, several general prosecutors who have sought to classify the case.

His trial, opened in May 2024 and broadcast live by the Colombian media, saw more than 90 witnesses parade. He was very followed less than a year from the next presidential election, scheduled for May 2026.

Key political figure

Alvaro Uibe. at the head of the Democratic Center party, remains a key figure in the political scene in Colombia, where he has exerted a great influence on the right, in opposition since the first leftist president, Gustavo Petro, took office in colombia: ex-president uibe sentenced 12 2022 in this country.

He had come to power with a radical discourse promoting “democratic security” while this South American country was plunged into a bloody conflict between guerrillas. paramilitaries and state forces.

The lawyers of Alvaro Uibe also said on Friday in a press release having filed a complaint against Gustavo Petro for “harassment. defamation” before a commission of the lower chamber empowered to investigate the leaders. They say that the president has carried out unfounded charges against Alvaro Uibe this week. accusing him of crimes such as drug trafficking.

It all started in 2012: Alvaro Uibe accused the left Senator Ivan Cepeda. before the Supreme Court of having hatched a conspiracy to bind him wrongly to paramilitary groups involved in the long Colombian armed conflict.

This jurisdiction decided not to continue Ivan Cepeda. rather looked at the accusations weighing on Alvaro Uibe, suspected of having contacted veterans imprisoned to lie in his favor.

AFP

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