Colombia’s inspector general asks access to Uribe aide’s trial documents

Colombia’s inspector general on Wednesday asked insight into the judicial process against former President Alvaro Uribe’s then-security chief who has confessed to collaborating with paramilitary groups.

IG Alejandro Ordoñez said the Colombian judiciary would need access to copies all the court documents regarding the process which is currently being held against Santoyo in the U.S. state of Virginia.

The Inspector General said Santoyo’s testimonies could lead to information about other ranking military officials collaborating with the AUC from within the Colombian armed forces.

“We need to know which generals could be involved and if these deeds eventually have anything to do with [their function as officials] and if they were realized during epochs where we still can use disciplinary functions within the corresponding terms of prescription,” said Ordoñez during a senate debate on Colombia’s Victims’ Law.

Santoyo admitted to supporting the AUC paramilitary organization while working as former president Alvaro Uribe’s top security aide, but has so far denied the charges of drug trafficking brought against him.

Ordoñez clarified there is currently no juridical process being held against Santoyo in Colombia.

The current Inspector General was one of the members of the State Council who in 2006 revoked a 2003 sentence that barred the now-jailed former General from holding public office over the illegal wiretapping of human rights organization while working in Medellin.

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