Former Colombian president Alvaro Uribe has become the first leader in the country to be convicted of a crime. The court found him guilty of bribing witnesses and imposed a fine exceeding $770,000.

Source: Associated Press, NBC News

Details: The Colombian court sentenced Uribe to 12 years of house arrest, along with a fine of $776,000 and barred him from holding public office for eight years.

On Friday, Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia read the ruling during a virtual session in which Uribe and his lawyers participated remotely. His attorneys have stated they will appeal the verdict.

The judge denied the lawyer's request to keep Uribe free during the appeal process, explaining that he "could easily leave the country to evade punishment." Uribe has been ordered to report to police in Rionegro, near Medellin, and to "immediately return to his residence" to serve his house arrest.

According to investigations, Uribe colluded with his lawyer to persuade three former members of right-wing paramilitary groups, who were incarcerated, to change their testimonies given to Senator Ivan Cepeda, who initiated an inquiry into Uribe's alleged links with armed groups.

In 2012, Uribe filed a lawsuit against Cepeda in the Supreme Court, accusing him of defamation. However, the court dismissed the complaint and in 2018 opened a criminal case against Uribe himself.

Uribe served as president from 2002 to 2010, gaining broad public support due to his tough anti-insurgency policies and attracting foreign investment. His supporters regard him as a national hero, while critics accuse him of numerous human rights violations.

The United States, which actively supported Uribe's anti-insurgency campaigns, has come to his defense. U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio characterized the court's decision as "a politicized use of Colombia's judicial system by radical judges."