Historic conviction: Ex-Colombian President Alvaro Uribe sentenced to 12 years of house arrest; found guilty of witness tampering
A Colombian judge on Friday sentenced former President Álvaro Uribe to 12 years of house arrest after finding him guilty of witness tampering and procedural fraud. The sentence, which is expected to be publicly announced later on Friday, marks the first time in Colombia's history that a former head of state has been convicted of a crime and sentenced.
Uribe, who governed Colombia from 2002 to 2010, was found guilty of asking right-wing paramilitaries to lie about their alleged links to him. A judge on Monday ruled that he had committed two offenses: interfering with witnesses and "procedural fraud."
While in office, Uribe led an aggressive military campaign against drug cartels and the FARC guerrilla group. He remains a significant figure in Colombian politics and is credited by many with restoring state control during a period of conflict.
However, critics have long accused him of colluding with armed right-wing paramilitary groups to eliminate leftist rebels.
Uribe, now 73, maintains his innocence and is expected to appeal the ruling.
Known as a law-and-order hardliner, Uribe was a close US ally during his presidency and continues to have strong ties with the American right.
US secretary of state
Marco Rubio
condemned the prosecution, stating it showed "the weaponization of Colombia's judicial branch by radical judges,' though he offered no evidence for the claim.
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