U.S. coal giant Drummond has rejected the subpoena served to Colombia’s former President Alvaro Uribe, Colombian media reported on Monday.
According to a Drummond press release, “it seems that the improperly served subpoena to President Uribe is simply aiming to generate media attention for the case and harass President Uribe, who knows nothing about the allegations of the lawsuit,” media quoted.
The Alabama-based coal company rejected the way an activist served Uribe with the order. “The subpoena was literally thrown at the feet of President Uribe while attending a conference at Georgetown University in Washington D.C.”
“Based on the subpoena and the way President Uribe was notified, it seems that the plaintiffs’ lawyers expect to support their latest case through media stunts instead of presenting evidence in court,” the press release said, adding that the plaintiffs “are seeking to attack President Uribe and the entire government of Colombia for its efforts to end the conflict.”
Victims of paramilitary violence in Colombia accuse Drummond of having paid paramilitary organization AUC between 1999 and 2005, during which 116 civilians were killed in the region where the coal company operates. The plaintiffs claim members of Uribe’s government tried to suppress evidence of Drummond’s alleged backing of the illegal militias.