Former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Sentenced to House Arrest

In a historic ruling, former Colombian President Alvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest following his conviction for abuse of process and bribery. The verdict, delivered by Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia, marks the first instance of a Colombian ex-president being found guilty at trial.

The case against Uribe, which has spanned over a decade, centers around allegations that he ordered bribery of jailed paramilitaries in a bid to discredit claims of his ties to these organizations. As part of the sentence, Uribe will also face a $578,000 fine and an eight-year ban from holding public office.

The ruling has caused a political stir, with implications for Colombia's upcoming presidential elections and its diplomatic relations with the United States. While Uribe's defenders allege judicial persecution, his critics view the conviction as long-overdue justice for a leader long accused of sympathizing with violent paramilitary groups.

(With inputs from agencies.)