Colombia’s Supreme Court finally called former senator Piedad Zuccardi to trial on Monday for conspiracy to commit crimes and having links with paramilitary group leaders — a crime known as ‘parapolitics’.
Zuccardi was arrested in February of this year on accusations of having taken part in meetings with the now defunct paramilitary group, AUC, who supposedly provided support for her congressional campaign in 2002. She has been in jail awaiting trial since her arrest.
MORE: Colombia senator surrenders to justice to face ‘parapolitics’ charges
The meetings, known as “Barranco de Loba” and “Caramelo,” allegedly occurred with former AUC leader, Salvatore Manusco, and former AUC commander, Manuel Antonio Castellanos, alias “El Chino.”
Since the “parapolitics” scandal erupted in 2006, more than 150 former and current members of Congress have come under investigation, and approximately 55 have been convicted.
Forty years in prison has become a standard punishment for those found guilty of parapolitics.
The former senator’s trial will likely begin within the week.
Sources
- A juicio Piedad Zuccardi por parapolítica (Radio Santa Fe)
- Los pactos que vinculan a piedad zuccardi con paras (Politica Legal)
- World Report 2013 (Human Rights Watch)