A Bogota prosecutor on Tuesday indicted two former Liberal Party politicians for their alleged complicity in the murder of a journalist in 2002.
According to the prosecution, several witnesses have linked the former director of the Liberals in the Caldas department, Ferney Tapasco, and his ex-congressman son Dixon Tapasco with the murder of La Patria journalist Orlando Sierra .
The deputy editor of the Caldas-based newspaper was murdered on January 30, 2002 after he published allegations of corruption against the father and son.
The only person to be convicted of the journalist’s murder was assassinated after completing his jail sentence.
The Tapascos, despite professing their innocence, have been charged with aggravated murder and conspiracy. Defense lawyers have already announced that they will appeal the decision at the first opportunity.
Both politicians were previously sent to jail for their past ties to paramilitary death squads. Ferney Tapasco is still in prison, while Dixon Tapasco was released earlier this month.