Latest news with #bribery conviction
Times of Oman
a day ago
- Politics
- Times of Oman
Colombia: Court orders release of former President Uribe
Bogotá: Colombia's Superior Court on Tuesday ordered the release of former President Alvaro Uribe from house arrest while he appeals a conviction for witness tampering and bribery in a case related to the country's prolonged civil war. On August 1, the 73-year-old was sentenced to 12 years of detention. This was the first time in Colombia's history that a former president was convicted of a crime. He also received the longest possible prison term. Uribe was president from 2002 to 2010 and oversaw the fight against leftist rebels. His hardline approach is attributed to FARC rebels being forced into peace negotiations. However, detractors point to the human rights violations under him as Colombia's military strived for crucial victories against the rebels. The military is accused of killing thousands of young people and passing them off as rebels. Uribe was found guilty of pressuring jailed witnesses to alter testimony linking him to right-wing militias. He denies the charges and appealed the conviction, calling the case politically motivated and instigated by Colombia's left, now led by President Gustavo Petro, his political archrival. The court said Uribe does not pose a flight risk and will remain free until mid-October, when a final decision is to be issued. If the deadline passes without a ruling, the conviction will be annulled and the former president will go free. "Thanks to God, thanks to so many fellow Colombians for their expressions of solidarity," Uribe posted on X. "I will dedicate every minute of my freedom to the freedom of Colombia." Uribe remains a powerful figure in Colombia's conservative politics. He was a close ally of the United States and retains ties to the American right.
The Independent
2 days ago
- Politics
- The Independent
Colombian court frees former president Uribe from house arrest until it rules on bribery case
A Colombian appeals court ruled Tuesday that former president Alvaro Uribe must be released from house arrest while he challenges his conviction for bribery and witness tampering. On Aug. 1, the conservative leader was sentenced to 12 years of house arrest for threatening and trying to flip witnesses who had spoken to investigators about his alleged role in the formation of a right wing paramilitary group in the 1990s. Uribe denies the charges and has appealed the conviction to the Superior Tribunal in Bogota. The court has until mid-October to issue a definitive ruling on the case, which has gripped Colombia and also provoked reactions from Uribe's allies in the United States. On Tuesday the Superior Tribunal said it approved an injunction filed by Uribe's defense team seeking his release from house arrest. Uribe's lawyers argued the former president's right to due process was violated by the arrest order against him, as well as his right to a presumption of innocence.
