Colombia’s former President Alvaro Uribe ignored a subpoena ordering him to give testimony in a civil case filed by victims of paramilitary violence against U.S. coal giant Drummond.
The former president was subpoenaed to appear on Monday, but instead traveled to Honduras to visit President Porfirio Lobo.
Attorney Terri Collingsworth said that Uribe apparently feels “above the law,” as the subpoena obliged him to appear.
The victims’ defense said it would file a motion to compel, so a court can order Uribe to give testimony in the case.
According to newspaper El Tiempo, Uribe may be sanctioned for contempt of court if he also ignores a court order to appear.
The plaintiffs want to hear Uribe because they claim his administration knew about alleged ties between Drummond and a faction of now defunct paramilitary organization AUC that killed more than 130 civilians in the region where Drummond is active.