Al Jazeera

Colombian appeals court strikes down ex-President Uribe’s conviction

Reuters

Colombia ex-president acquitted in witness tampering case, senator to appeal

The Superior Tribunal of Bogotá overturned on Tuesday the conviction of former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe for witness tampering and bribery for which he had been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest in August.

Colombia One

The Associated Press

The Superior Tribunal of Bogotá overturned on Tuesday the conviction of former Colombian President Álvaro Uribe for witness tampering and bribery for which he had been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest in August.

The high court said in its 700-page appellate ruling that some of the wiretaps used to open the formal investigation against Uribe were obtained illegally, adding that conversations he had with his lawyer on a phone other than his own ought to have been suppressed as evidence.

BBC News

Colombia Reports

La Derecha Diario

The high court said in its 700-page appellate ruling that some of the wiretaps used to open the formal investigation against Uribe were obtained illegally, adding that conversations he had with his lawyer on a phone other than his own ought to have been suppressed as evidence.

Furthermore, the court found that the testimonies from former paramilitaries Carlos Enrique Vélez and Juan Guillermo Monsalve lacked credibility due to inconsistencies, and that evidence of payments to former paramilitary Euridice Cortes failed to prove bribery.

The City Paper Bogotá

Furthermore, the court found that the testimonies from former paramilitaries Carlos Enrique Vélez and Juan Guillermo Monsalve lacked credibility due to inconsistencies, and that evidence of payments to former paramilitary Euridice Cortes failed to prove bribery.

Senator and presidential pre-candidate Iván Cepeda — one of the central figures in the case — and victims' lawyer Miguel Ángel del Río have already announced plans for an appeal to the country's Supreme Court.

Anadolu Ajansı

Senator and presidential pre-candidate Iván Cepeda — one of the central figures in the case — and victims' lawyer Miguel Ángel del Río have already announced plans for an appeal to the country's Supreme Court.

The case originated in 2012 when Uribe filed a complaint against Senator Ivan Cepeda for alleged witness tampering, but the Supreme Court dismissed charges against Cepeda and instead opened an investigation into Uribe in 2018.</span

El País

teleSUR English

The case originated in 2012 when Uribe filed a complaint against Senator Ivan Cepeda for alleged witness tampering, but the Supreme Court dismissed charges against Cepeda and instead opened an investigation into Uribe in 2018.

The ruling removes legal obstacles for Uribe to run for Senate as announced by his Democratic Center party, potentially influencing Colombia's 2026 presidential and legislative elections where several of his allies plan to compete.</span

Bloomberg.com

Mercopress

The ruling removes legal obstacles for Uribe to run for Senate as announced by his Democratic Center party, potentially influencing Colombia's 2026 presidential and legislative elections where several of his allies plan to compete.

Al Jazeera #1

Reuters #0

Colombia's justice system finally stood strong against a brazen political witch hunt that targeted former President Uribe for years. The appeals court's decision proves that legal institutions can resist weaponization by those seeking to criminalize legitimate politics. This victory shows the rule of law prevailed over partisan abuse.

Colombia's justice system finally stood strong against a brazen political witch hunt that targeted former President Uribe for years. The appeals court's decision proves that legal institutions can resist weaponization by those seeking to criminalize legitimate politics. This victory shows the rule of law prevailed over partisan abuse.</span

Christopher Landau

DeputySecState

Marco Rubio

SecRubio

The appeals court's reversal continues Colombia's shameful tradition of protecting paramilitary-linked politicians from accountability. By dismissing wiretapped evidence of Uribe discussing bribes, the tribunal covers up decades of narco-paramilitary governance and genocide. This decision reinforces impunity for elites while silencing those who exposed political corruption.

The appeals court's reversal continues Colombia's shameful tradition of protecting paramilitary-linked politicians from accountability. By dismissing wiretapped evidence of Uribe discussing bribes, the tribunal covers up decades of narco-paramilitary governance and genocide. This decision reinforces impunity for elites while silencing those who exposed political corruption.</span

Colombia: Appeals Court Overturns Former President Uribe's Conviction

Colombia: Appeals Court Overturns Former President Uribe's Conviction

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Colombia: Appeals Court Overturns Former President Uribe's Conviction

Colombia: Appeals Court Overturns Former President Uribe's Conviction

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