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Colombia’s ex-president may face 12 years imprisonment for witness tampering
Former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, is likely to face a 12-year jail term, if convicted, for being involved in witness tampering and bribery.
Uribe, who was president from 2002 to 2010, has denied any wrongdoing and has accused Colombia's chief prosecutor's office of 'political vengeance' [File: Lina Gasca/AP Photo]
Former President of Colombia, Alvaro Uribe, is likely to face a 12-year jail term, if convicted, for being involved in witness tampering and bribery.
The 71-year-ld becomes the first head of state to face a criminal trial in the Latin American nation.
According to Aljazeera, the allegations are the result of an inquiry into Uribe’s purported affiliations with right-wing paramilitary organisations.
Uribe is charged with “offering cash or other benefits” to witnesses in an attempt to undermine a political rival who was investigating his family’s connections to armed organisations.
The former president is heard discussing efforts to flip two former paramilitary soldiers who were scheduled to testify against him with one of his lawyers in wiretapped phone conversations. According to Uribe, his talks were unlawfully intercepted.
President Uribe, who held office from 2002 to 2010, has accused the office of Colombia’s chief prosecutor of “political vengeance” and denied any wrongdoing.
“I never sought to look for witnesses. I wanted to defend my reputation,” Uribe was reported to have said during the virtual hearing.
Judge Sandra Heredia denied his motion to dismiss the lawsuit.
The incident dates back to 2012, after Uribe accused left-wing senator Ivan Cepeda of plotting to link him to paramilitary groups.
The investigation began in 2018 and has been reopened under Attorney General Luz Camargo, who was chosen by left-wing president Gustavo Petro.
Uribe was known for his tough stance on Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia (FARC) fighters.
