Colombia does not have sufficient evidence proving ties between paramilitary groups and former president Alvaro Uribe’s security chief to request extradition, said the country’s chief prosecutor Monday.
Prosecutor general Eduardo Montealegre said that if they were able to find proof different from that of the United States, then he will immediately ask for the extradition of ex-security chief to Colombia.
“By the time we consolidate evidence against the ex-general for different events than he is already being judged for in the United States, if such an event occurs, we will present a solicit for extradition,” said Montealegre.
Montealegre explained that as of now, there are four criminal investigations against Santoyo, but there has been no certainty that they are any different from what is already known by the U.S.intelligence agencies.
To solicit the former official’s extradition to his home country, they would need to issue an arrest warrant, but there has still not been sufficient evidence of distinct crimes he committed other than the ones he is currently being tried for.
Santoyo has been accused of working “hand in hand” with paramilitary organization AUC and allegedly made illegal wiretaps for the group, providing them with information about suspected FARC collaborators.
Santoyo could receive up to 15 years in U.S. jail if he is found guilty of working with paramilitaries.