Ex-congressman called to trial over 1988 massacre


The Supreme Court called former congressman Cesar Perez Garcia to trial on charges of involvement in the November 1988 massacre of 43 people in Segovia, Antioquia, Caracol Radio reports.

The court’s Criminal Chamber took the decision in accordance with international human rights agreements signed by Colombia. Perez had been under investigation since last year.

The slaughter of 43 civilians was carried out by paramilitary organizations under the command of brothers Fidel and Carlos Castaño, who died in 1994 and 2004 repsectively. However, it was not until 22 years later that the Supreme Court decided it would carry out an in-depth investigation.

Perez is also still under investigation for his ties to paramilitaries as part of the on-going “parapolitics” scandal.

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