Senator Iván Cepeda, recognized as a victim in the process, maintains an opposite position against the prosecutor’s evidence. While the defense of former president Álvaro Uribe warns that the accusing entity failed to demonstrate his theory of the case, the congressman believes that there are sufficient elements so that the ex -president is condemned by bribery to witnesses.
“I believe that it was demonstrated, beyond any reasonable doubt, the guilt of former president Uribe. I think his role was demonstrated as a determinant of a criminal apparatus in which, through intermediaries, including the lawyer chain, a very important number of witnesses from bribes, offers of advice, assistance and judicial representation, were managed to recruit the lawyer. Drug organizations leaders ”.
You have been in this process for several years, do you think that at this stage there was any new revelation against what was already known?
“Enough. For example, the statement of Mrs. Eurídice Cortés about the fact of having received two million pesos that were not in the accounts of the investigations done and that were revealed in full judgment. It was the first time that the lady admitted to having received two million Diego Cadena. Likewise, the lies were evidenced in the case of the three lords of Combita In relation to what they have affirmed before other research and justice entities, but among themselves.
What opinion deserves that the trial is supported, among other elements, in interceptions that the defense considers illegally obtained?
“They are not illegal. In fact it is the documentary evidence, the interception of cell phones and documents presented by the Prosecutor That they are doing that search for witnesses only so that the truth can be told, in spite of that, things are evidence even order of the former president ”.
Know: Álvaro Uribe would testify on May 5 at the trial against him
But, for you, do those interceptions try something?
“Of course, they are absolutely probatively. On the one hand it is said that these are illegal conversations, illegally obtained, that they relieve the confidentiality of the relationship between the client and the lawyer, but on the other hand they say they have nothing to hide. So, at last what? Granados insists that the former president did not know that Diego Cadena was offering money in this case to Mrs. Euríde Cortés.
In this case, the conduct of the former president and Granados himself against chain is totally ambiguous. On the one hand Uribe says that he knew nothing, that he came to find out later, but then appears praising chain first in the interceptions and then in public, and defending it. So, finally? Was chain committing and he doesn’t want to have to do with those crimes? Or he wants to condemn those crimes and maintain his loyalty relationship towards chain. ”
The defense claims that these offers were not conditioned …
“Let’s say they were not humanitarian acts, nor in good faith, nor Uribe had mounted a device to serve people who needed. No, it was not that. The money paid was to obtain the testimonies. It is said that the testimony of Euridice Cortés, or better, that the money that was given to Diana, was not to bribe her I knew in who was and where it was.
Senator, the defense cited as a witness the lawyer Mercedes Arroyave, who appears in the file as his companion in visits to exparamilitaries in prisons. However, there has been no trace of it for years. What do you know about it? Why hasn’t you reappeared?
Today declares Uribe, what expects the day?
“I am glad that we are finally in the final stretch of this extensive process. I hope there is soon a decision, and that this decision honors the right we have – in this case, the victims – to the truth, justice and reparation.”
With Álvaro Uribe’s statement, one of the most decisive moments of trial starts. For some it is the opportunity to demonstrate your innocence; For others, the way to an eventual condemnation. The truth is that, after years of controversy and legal maneuvers, the process enters its final phase.
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