During the hearing, Judge Laura Barrera affirmed that there is concrete evidence, physical evidence about the case. | Photo: EFE (referential)

Bogota, May 24 (RHC)-- Judge Laura Barrera in Bogota has determined not to preclude the case against the former president of Colombia, Álvaro Uribe Vélez, who will now have to go to trial for the alleged crimes of bribery of witnesses and procedural fraud.

During the court hearing, Judge Barrera affirmed that there is concrete evidence, physical evidence about the case.  "Contrary to the prosecutor's assertion, there are probative elements, physical evidence and legally obtained information that allow us to affirm with probability of truth that the criminal conduct of bribery did occur, and that Dr. Uribe may have the status of participant," said the judge.

For his part, teleSUR's correspondent in Colombia, Hernán Tobar, recalled that in this process "he is being investigated in relation to the manipulation of witnesses in the case that links him (Uribe Vélez) with paramilitarism."  

This is the second time that the request for preclusion of the process against the former senator has been denied. The Prosecutor's Office may appeal the decision before the Criminal Chamber of the Court of Bogota.

"This second hearing takes place in the context that the defense is again requesting the preclusion, that the investigation be closed, because according to the defense there is no convincing evidence that the former president and former senator Álvaro Uribe Vélez has links with these crimes," Tobar said.