In detail, the prosecution accused the ex -president of manipulating witnesses to change their versions and declare that he had no links with paramilitarism.
The former president of Colombia Álvaro Uribe Vélez It was declared guilty of the crimes of procedural fraud and bribery to witnessesmarking a precedent for the Colombian democracy since it is the first time in the history of the country that a exmandatario receives a conviction.
During an audience of more than six hours, the judge of Bogotá Sandra Liliana Heredia Aranda He pointed out that the founder and honorary president of the Conservative Political Party Democratic Center He offered benefits, through third parties, to people deprived of their freedom to favor their own judicial processes.
The judicial process began in 2012 and could lead to a condemnation between six and twelve years in prison for bribery crimesprocedural fraud and bribery in criminal action.
In particular, as determined by the magistrate, the right -wing political leader tried to bribe, through his lawyer, Diego Cadena, AlParamilitar Juan Guillermo Monsalve so that he did not declare about the alleged links of Uribe with paramilitary groups in the Antioquia region, and also that Incriminated Senator Iván Cepeda in illegal acts.
He was also responsible for having Witnesses manipulated to link Senator Iván Cepeda with illegal facts.
At the beginning of the audience, Heredia emphasized that “the Justice does not kneel before power“And it made it clear that” today this court does not decide on a name, he decides on facts. “
Álvaro Uribe says he is innocent
For his part, Uribe declared innocent and assured that he is a victim of political persecution. The former president followed the hearing virtually while his followers appeared before the court with support posters and shouting “Uribe, innocent!”.
The prosecution accused him of devising and promoting a strategy to manipulate witnesses to change their versions or declare that he had no links with paramilitarismwhich constituted a Attempt to deceive justice.
The conservative Uribe Vélezwho ruled between 2002 and 2010was one of the most important leaders in the country in the last two decades. Currently, he leads the Democratic Center Party, the main opponent of President Gustavo Petro.
Source: Ambito
