Colombia's Ex-President Uribe Set for Historic Trial on Witness Tampering Charges

[Judi Lynn]

By Sathish Raman
| Updated: Wednesday, April 10, 2024, 1:54 [IST]

In a significant development from Colombia, the prosecutor's office announced on Tuesday its decision to call former President Álvaro Uribe to trial. Uribe faces charges of bribery of witnesses in criminal proceedings and procedural fraud. This marks a historic moment as Uribe could become the first former president of the Andean country to stand trial for such allegations. The decision underscores a pivotal shift in the criminal process against Uribe, especially with the appointment of a new attorney general in March.

Previously, attempts were made by prosecutors under the former administration to close the case against Uribe, citing a lack of "criminal responsibility of the defendant." However, these requests were turned down by criminal judges. The prosecution is now poised to formalize the accusation against Uribe at an upcoming hearing, the date of which remains undecided. Should Uribe be found guilty of procedural fraud, he could be looking at up to eight years behind bars. Moreover, the charge of bribing witnesses could carry a sentence of up to twelve years in prison.

The case against Uribe stems from accusations he made over a decade ago against an opposition senator. Uribe alleged that the senator was attempting to enlist paramilitaries to testify against him and link him to the formation of a paramilitary group. Contrary to prosecuting the senator, a high court initiated a criminal file against Uribe to investigate if he had indeed attempted to manipulate witnesses against his adversary.

Uribe, who led Colombia from 2002 to 2010, found himself under house arrest for two months in 2020 in connection with this case. Throughout the proceedings, he has consistently proclaimed his innocence. The upcoming trial not only puts Uribe's legacy under scrutiny but also highlights the ongoing challenges within Colombia's judicial and political landscape.

https://www.oneindia.com/international/colombian-ex-president-uribe-trial-witness-tampering-011-3795895.html

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Very pedestrian picture of Bush & Uribe strolling around Bush's Texas ranch.



W. bestows the National Medal Freedom Award upon Uribe.

[Judi Lynn]

1. Small sampling of protest posters accusing Uribe in Colombia.

Last edited Wed Apr 10, 2024, 04:32 AM - Edit history (1)

Matarife (slaughterer)

[Judi Lynn]

2. Colombia's prosecution announces fraud and bribery charges against Uribe

Prosecution ends resistance to Uribe trial after new chief prosecutor takes office
by Adriaan Alsema April 9, 2024

Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office said Tuesday that it has formally accused former President Alvaro Uribe of fraud and bribery.

The announcement comes less than a month after Prosecutor General Luz Adriana Camargo took office. The administration of Camargo’s predecessor, Francisco Barbosa, repeatedly asked courts to drop the charges, but without success.

Uribe’s legal problems began in 2018 when the Supreme Court found that the former president and multiple associates allegedly bribed witnesses in order to press bogus charges against Senator Ivan Cepeda. The alleged conspiracy apparently sought to discredit Cepeda after the left-wing senator published a book about Uribe’s role in the creation of a paramilitary group in the 1990’s.

The Supreme Court absolved Cepeda and filed charges against Uribe and National Electoral Council Magistrate Alfonso Prada, who was a senator of Uribe’s far-right Democratic Center party at the time.

More:
https://colombiareports.com/colombias-prosecution-announces-fraud-and-bribery-charges-against-uribe/