Colombia revokes judicial benefits for demobilized drug trafficker

"Gordolindo" (Photo: El Universal)

Colombian authorities formally revoked judicial benefits granted to demobilized and extradited paramilitary commander “Gordolindo” on Tuesday.

Javier Zuluaga, alias Gordolindo, was removed from the so-called “Justice and Peace” program over accusations he had continued his criminal activities while incarcerated.

The Justice and Peace program allows demobilized members of the now-defunct AUC to serve only eight years in prison in return for their collaboration with justice, compensation of victims and a vow to not continue breaking the law.

According to a Medellin court, Gordolindo had lied to the courts about his membership of the paramilitary umbrella organization after prosecutors found evidence he paid his way into the AUC in order to receive legal benefits for his crimes committed as drug trafficker.

His removal from the program means that the drug trafficker will have to face justice after completing his 21-year sentence in the US where he was extradited to in 2006 together with a number of top AUC commanders.

Sources

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