A Colombian prosecutor presented an accusation against the former president this Tuesday Alvaro Uribe “as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of bribery of witnesses in criminal proceedings and procedural fraud,” which indicates that he will be called to trial, the Prosecutor’s Office reported.
The accusation was presented by the first prosecutor delegated to the Supreme Court of Justice Gilberto Villarealwho took on the case on January 16.
Why will Álvaro Uribe go to trial?
This case dates back to 2012 when Uribe sued for alleged witness tampering Ivan Cepedasenator of the left party Alternative Democratic Pole (PDA), which at that time was preparing a complaint in Congress against him for alleged ties to paramilitarism.
However, the Supreme Court of Justice decided not to open an investigation against the congressman and, instead, initiated proceedings against the former president for witness manipulation.
According to sources from the Prosecutor’s Office, based on the physical evidence and evidentiary elements, it was concluded that there were reasons to accuse Uribe, who was president of Colombia between 2002 and 2010.
“The decision of the deputy prosecutor was adopted after two requests for estoppel from different prosecutors that were rejected by the competent circuit criminal judges,” the first in April 2022 and the second in May 2023.
Start date to be defined
The Prosecutor’s Office added that once the judicial distribution process is completed, “the hearing to formalize the accusation will be held on the date and time set by the judiciary.”
Upon taking on the case, the prosecutor Villarreal had 90 days to file the accusation against Uribea deadline that will be met on April 15.
The accusation of bribery in criminal proceedings has to do with the alleged payment of bribes to Carlos Enrique Velez y Juan Guillermo Monsalvewho are imprisoned in the Palmira and La Picota prisons in Bogotá, respectively, as well as a woman identified as Euridice Cortesso that they could benefit the former president with their statements.
While procedural fraud involves all the irregularities of the case.
Despite the accusation, Uribe He will be able to respond to the process in freedom since that is normal in all cases and deprivation of liberty constitutes an exceptional measure, according to the Prosecutor’s Office. EFE
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