Investigators for the Prosecution have determined that the FARC plotted to kidnap a number of people in the Bogota area, and ten guerrillas have been charged with rebellion and conspiring to commit aggravated crimes.
Since September 2008 Colombia’s Prosecutor’s Office has been investigating the alleged arrival of a group of guerrillas from the FARC mobile column Teofilo Forero, to the Anapoima and Girardot municipalities of Cundinamarca, reports Caracol Radio.
After analyzing evidence and the interception of several mobile phones, investigators found that the guerrillas were planning to kidnap several Girardot citizens, including the father of a famous singer, a doctor named Uribe, and a U.S. citizen who allegedly worked at the Ptolemais military base. They also discovered a plot to kidnap any members of the family of former Defense Minister Juan Manuel Santos in Anapoima.
The kidnap commands were issued by FARC leader Henry ‘Patamala’ Triana.
Based on evidence gathered over six months, a judge has been petitioned to issue arrest warrants for ten alleged FARC members seeking to enact kidnappings in Colombia’s midwest. Subsequent arrests were made in the Anapoima and Girardot municipalities during the night of the 26-27 March this year.
Two of the defendants accepted all charges and and made a judge-endorsed deal with the Prosecution: a twelve-year sentence commuted to six years due to their acceptance of the charges of rebellion and conspiracy to commit aggravated crimes.
Eight other alleged guerrillas were charged with involvement in a plan to commit more kidnappings in Cundinamarca. Three accepted the charges and received sentences of twelve years commuted to eight years due to their cooperation. One of the alleged rebels will serve her sentence under house arrest, due to being a single mother.
Another defendant suffered a heart attack while in detention and will also be permitted to serve his sentence under house arrest. The trial against him for failing to respond to the authorities will also be temporarily suspended.
At a hearing on 6 October the Prosecution asked that further evidence be taken into account at the trial of four alleged guerrillas, which the defense has appealed. A ruling of the High Court in Cudinamarca is expected before the case finally goes to trial.