Ibagué was the epicenter of the First Regional Hearing for Recognition of the Truth in case 001, related to the taking of hostages and deprivation of liberty, carried out by the Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP).
In this space ten former members of the Central Joint Command of the extinct FARC-Ep guerrilla, participate in a repair exercise with the victims accredited by the Jurisdiction, in which they recognize their responsibility in cases of kidnapping for economic purposes and to exercise territorial control in Tolima, Huila and Quindío.
Those appearing, in each of their interventions, They have accepted their participation in kidnapping, damage to economic assets and other crimes concurrent with these behaviors.
“That money was required from the Central Joint Command to finance the organization’s plans. That led us to commit greater damage with the bad practice of kidnapping because in the desire to get that money, intelligence was not done as it was supposed to be.” had to do. The kidnapping, that crime should not have existed nor be within the principles of that revolutionary organization“said Luis Eduardo Rayo, known as ‘Marlon’, who was high command of the 21st front of the extinct Farc-Ep.
This scenario It was possible after the JEP charged this group of defendants in mid-2023 for war crimes. such as hostage-taking, homicide, among others, which were accepted at the time.
The audience It is a public recognition of these actions in front of the victims, who have also had a significant space to expose the drama. that they have faced and the impact of the actions of the extinct FARC.
“I want the absolute truth, reparation for all the damage caused to my person and company, psychological damage, patrimonial detriment, they violated all my rights,” said Omar Benítez, kidnapped in the municipality of Chaparral.
Regarding the process, the JEP reported that After recognition, the proceedings are sent to the Peace Court to examine the process and, in this way, decides the appropriate sanction for those appearing in this process.
