Colombian Former
Paramilitary Commanders
Could Face Extradition
Colombian President
Alvaro Uribe said on
Thursday that the former
paramilitary commanders
in the country could be
extradited to the United
States if they are found
linked to weapons and
money smuggling into the
prison where they are
held.
The former commanders
convicted of these
crimes will be
immediately extradited
if they are wanted by
the United States, said
Uribe.
Colombian Vice Interior
Minister Guillermo Reyes
said on Wednesday the
police found a gun, a
grenade and 11 million
pesos (about 5,700 U.S.
dollars) in cash during
a prison inspection.
Authorities are now
investigating how these
items entered into the
high-security Itagui.
Those who are
responsible for the
smuggling will be
deprived of the "Justice
and Peace Law" benefits
"as soon as the
government knows who
they are," the president
said.
About 60 former leaders
of Colombia's United
Self Defense (AUC), a
right-wing armed group
which fought against the
anti-government leftist
guerrilla, are held at
Itagui in northern
Colombia.
The AUC was demobilized
from 2004 to 2006 after
reaching an agreement
with the government,
which offered its former
leaders lower sentences
of eight years under the
"Justice and Peace Law."
The Organization of
American States (OAS)
accused the former
paramilitary leaders of
enjoying excessive
privileges in Itagui
including having mobile
phones, computers and
frequent visits.
The United States
classifies the AUC as
terrorist organization
and has requested the
extradition of several
of its leaders on
charges of being among
the nation's largest
cocaine traffickers.
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