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19h ago

Court Denies Álvaro Uribe’s Release Bid, Upholds House Arrest

A court refused to grant him provisional release pending appeal; US officials have criticized the verdict, with supporters organizing protests domestically as well as overseas.

Colombia's former president Alvaro Uribe Velez takes part during an event announcing the candidates for Bogota's council of the Political Party, Centro Democratico, on August 10, 2023. (Photo by Sebastian Barros/NurPhoto)
A man holds a sign that reads "Uribe to jail" in Bogota
Álvaro Uribe is regarded by millions of Colombians as the country’s saviour

Overview

  • The Superior Tribunal of Bogotá ruled on Monday that Uribe’s appeal did not meet the urgency requirements for provisional release, ensuring he remains confined to his Rionegro residence.
  • On August 1, Judge Sandra Heredia sentenced him to 12 years of house arrest, imposed a 100-month ban from public office and fined him over 3.4 billion pesos for abuse of process and bribery of a public official.
  • Uribe’s legal team has until August 13 to file an appeal with the Supreme Court, which then has until October 16 to issue a ruling before the case is closed by default.
  • US Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the conviction as a politicized attack on Colombia’s judiciary, accusing judges of weaponizing the courts against Uribe.
  • Uribe’s Democratic Center party has scheduled rallies in at least 20 Colombian cities and organized solidarity events in the US and Spain to protest the conviction.