BOGOTÁ, Colombia (BN24) — Former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest Friday after being found guilty of procedural fraud and witness bribery, marking a historic first as the country’s initial former head of state to receive a criminal conviction. The verdict was issued by Judge Sandra Heredia of Bogotá’s 44th Criminal Court, following a legal process that captivated Colombia for over a decade.
Uribe, 73, who served two presidential terms from 2002 to 2010, has consistently denied all charges. His legal team announced plans to appeal the ruling, emphasizing Uribe’s innocence amid intense political division. The court acquitted Uribe on a separate bribery charge involving a prosecutor.
The case originated in 2012 when Uribe accused opposition Senator Iván Cepeda of attempting to falsely link him to the establishment of paramilitary groups. Cepeda vehemently denied the allegations. In a significant turn, the Colombian Supreme Court initiated an investigation into Uribe in 2018 over allegations of witness tampering, escalating the high-profile dispute.
After years of investigation and courtroom proceedings, the Colombian Prosecutor’s Office formally charged Uribe in May 2024 with procedural fraud and bribery related to judicial processes. His trial spanned 67 days and concluded this week with the landmark sentence.
Political reactions have been sharply divided. Supporters of Uribe, including former President Iván Duque and other opposition leaders, decried the conviction as politically motivated. In contrast, members aligned with the current Colombian government praised the verdict as a critical advancement for justice and the rule of law.
Senator Iván Cepeda, central to the case, welcomed the court’s decision but cautioned that “there is still a long way to go” as legal proceedings continue.
Credit: Al Jazeera
