Former congresswoman Yidis Medina has been sentenced to four years and two months under house arrest for illegal enrichment.
The Special Criminal Court in Bogota found Medina guilty of the charge, which relates to her acceptance of a bribe in exchange for supporting a referendum to change the constitution to allow former President Alvaro Uribe to run for a second term in 2006.
The ex-congresswoman was offered the power to name notaries in Barrancabermeja, Santander. In Colombia, the position of notary is a job from which many launch their political careers.
In 2008, Medina was found guilty of bribery by the Criminal Chamber of the Supreme Court and sentenced to three years and 11 months under house arrest. She is currently under house arrest, and the months she has already served count towards this new sentence.
“I hope that justice will do what it has to do also with the people who offered me the bribes,” Medina said. “To me this sentence is much better because this is cumulative,” said Medina.
Former Interior Minister Sabas Pretelt de la Vega and former Social Welfare Minister Diego Palacio are accused of offering Medina the bribes. Pretelt de la Vega was charged with corruption in April, and Palacio is currently under investigation.
Because Medina is the head of her household, she will serve her sentence under house arrest. The ex-politician must also pay a fine of COP578 million ($320,000).
