The former Colombian president Álvaro Uribe (2002-2010)one of the most powerful politicians in the country, will hear on Monday if justice declares it guilty or innocent of the crimes of bribery, procedural fraud and bribery in criminal action, a ruling that has the country in suspense.
The decision is in the hands of Sandra Heredia, Judge 44 Criminal of the Circuit of Bogotá, who in the Paloquemao Judicial Complex will announce the ruling on this case that began 13 years ago. Will do it after studying a summary of thousands of folios and listening to statements of the parties for 67 days of audiences held in the last five months.
Uribe, 73 and head of the right -wing Democratic Center, which he founded, can be the first Colombian president to be criminally convicted of a process in which he was even in housekeeper preventive detentionalso for 67 daysin 2020.
The former president was prosecuted as “Determinant”for allegedly instigating third parties to commit the crimes that are accused of, and in case of being found guilty, it can be sentenced to a penalty of Between six and twelve years in prison in this trialwhose audiences were transmitted by social networks, something never seen in the country.
This process dates back to 2012, when Uribe sued the Supreme Court for alleged manipulation of witnesses to the left -wing senator Iván Cepeda, who at that time prepared a complaint in the Senate against him for alleged links with paramilitarism.
However, Judge José Luis Barceló did not open investigation against the congressman, but the former president for alleged manipulation of witnesses began a process so they would not declare against him.
The criminal Jaime Granados, who leads Uribe’s defense, insists that his client never ordered anyone to bribe and that his only interest in sue Cepeda was to defend his honor and seek the truth.
Uribe, who after finishing his presidential period was elected senator in 2014 and 2018, resigned from his seat in August 2020 so that your case will go to ordinary justice. The prosecution initially found no evidence to accuse him, but after going to several legal instances, in 2024 he formally accused him.
Now, after 13 years of litigation and a five -month trial, Judge Heredia will announce on Monday the condemnation or acquittal of Uribe. If it is found guilty, another audience will be fixed to establish the penalty.
Álvaro Uribe
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What follows
Both lawyer Reinaldo Villalba, who represents Senator Cepeda, recognized as a victim in this process, and defender Jaime Granados, They clarify that the case will not end with the diligence on Monday.
If the judge decides to condemn Uribe, an integral reparation incident for the victims will be opened and the amount of the penalty will be defined, which is not usually fixed the same day that the sense of failure is revealed.
Whatever the judge’s decision, The defeated party is expected to appeal the rulingwhich can lengthen the process even for years.
In an interview with Efe, Cepeda said that the appeal resources, in case Uribe is declared innocent, will be processed before the Criminal Chamber of the Superior Court of Bogotá.
This means that the case will go to a second instance, extending the definitive resolution of the most media lawsuit and that takes place at a time when the country is at the gates of an election year.
The Court of Appeal may confirm or revoke the first instance rulingthat of Judge Heredia.
If, as is predictable, the case reaches that high court and issues a second instance ruling, it is possible to go to the Supreme Court of Justice, which It is the closing instance of the processes in Colombia and whose decision will be final.
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EFE
