Former Colombian “para-politics” Senator Mario Salomon Nader has been officially charged with having ties to the AUC, El Espectador reported Wednesday.
Salomon Nader was originally arrested on September 17, 2010, in the Caribbean coastal city of Barranquilla, following his appearance on a list provided by paramilitary commander Freddy Rendon, alias “El Aleman,” of politicians who allegedly received support from the now-demobilized paramilitary organization the AUC.
The ex-senator apparently enlisted the support of the North and Elmer Cardenas blocks of the AUC in order to secure his election to congress in 2002.
According to witnesses, he held meetings with top paramilitary commanders Salvatore Mancuso and Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, alias “Jorge 40,” to discuss the issue of support for his campaign.
The charges were issued by the Criminal Chambers of the Supreme Court following months of investigation.