Overview
- The Tribunal Superior de Bogotá overturned the first‑instance verdict for bribery in judicial proceedings, with Magistrate Manuel Antonio Merchán stating the evidence did not show Uribe instigated the crime.
- August’s lower‑court ruling by Judge Sandra Heredia had found Uribe guilty of fraud and witness bribery and imposed a 12‑year sentence.
- The panel concluded there was no proof Uribe directed payments or pressure on jailed witnesses Carlos Enrique Vélez and Eurídice Cortés, noting Vélez never identified Uribe as responsible for the money.
- Judges found a legal error in the original decision for applying “dolo eventual” where the offense of determination requires “dolo directo.”
- The tribunal’s reading on other implicated matters, including issues tied to Juan Guillermo Monsalve, remains pending, and Uribe continues free as potential appeals to the Supreme Court proceed.