The prosecution says to have a witness saying Uribe Escobar met with paramilitary leaders in 1998 to jump start a strategy to seize farms in several departments. Earlier former paramilitary boss Salvatore Mancuso told the Prosecution he had met with Uribe Escobar in 2002, to ensure the Senator would win the elections in Córdoba. Mancuso later retracted his statement.Uribe Escobar, who is the former President of Congress, denies all charges and fled into the embassy of Costa Rica, seeking political asylum. Earlier he had said he would voluntarily present himself to the authorities. Costa Rica granted political asylum to Colombia’s former Minister Alvaro Leyva earlier, after the Justice Department wanted to arrest him for criminal charges.If captured Uribe Escobar will be transferred to the special “public officials” wing in Picota prison where, amongst others, he will meet his successor as President of Congress, Ricardo Elcure.With the imprisonment of Uribe Escobar, the amount of congressmen in jail would be 33.
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