The Inspector General’s Office on Monday appealed against the Superior Tribunal of Bogota’s decision to sentence former paramilitary Jorge Ivan Laverde Zapata, alias “El Iguano,” to only eight years in prison, La Opinion reports.
The Superior Tribunal reduced El Iguano’s original prison sentence of 40 years to eight years because of his participation in the Justice and Peace process, which guarantees a maximum sentence of eight years for paramilitaries who demobilize and confess their crimes .
A representative from the Public Ministry criticised the decision of the judges to reduce El Iguano’s prison sentence.
Last week El Iguano was found guilty at taking part in at least 28 massacres and ordered to pay $3.2 million in reparations for the victims. He is only the third paramilitary to be sentenced under the 2005 Justice and Peace law.
The Superior Court of the Justice and Peace process also ordered the state to investigate whether demobilized paramilitaries are hiding funds abroad.