A Colombian court sentenced an ex-guerrilla from the FARC to nine years in prison for the kidnapping of former Governor Alan Jara.
Daniel Vega Quitora, alias “El Indio Cristiano” and former general of the FARC’s 26th Front, held Meta department governor Alan Jara hostage for more than 7 years.
According to the prosecution, Quitora filed a plea bargain with the court.
The sentence was given by the Second Criminal Court of the Specialized Circuit of Villavicencio. Quitora accepted charges of kidnapping, rebellion and diplomatic violation. In addition, he will have to pay $64,000 in damages to Jara.
The former governor was kidnapped on July 15, 2001 when the FARC attacked the U.N. vehicle he was riding across the plains of Meta, after the policy inaugurated a work in the region. The guerrillas released Jara in February 2009 after mediation by fellow-Liberal Party politician Piedad Cordoba.
He was released in February, 2009, and since then has sought compensation from the state.