Congress orders investigation of former ministers over Uribe reelection bribe [View all]

[Judi Lynn]

Congress orders investigation of former ministers over Uribe reelection bribe
posted by Adriaan Alsema
May 28, 2013

Colombia’s Congress on Tuesday ordered the Prosecutor General’s Office to investigate two ex-ministers who are accused of having bribed congressmen to approve legislation necessary for former President Alvaro Uribe’s 2006 reelection.

According to the House of Representatives’ Accusations Commission, in charge of criminal investigations against (former) members of government, there is enough evidence to formally investigate former Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt and former Social Protection Minister Diego Palacio.

Both ministers are implicated in what in Colombia has become known as “Yidispolitica,” a scandal that involved the bribery of at least two lawmakers who, after having been promised bribes, changed their crucial votes to favor of a constitutional amendment necessary for Uribe to run for a second term in 2006.

Until the vote, Colombia’s constitution allowed a president to serve only one term.

More:
http://colombiareports.com/congress-orders-investigation-former-ministers-over-uribe-reelection-bribe/