The Washington Post is reporting that Álvaro Uribe, Colombia’s former president, was found guilty of bribery and procedural fraud in a witness tampering case. It said the ruling marks the first time a former president has been convicted in a criminal trial in the country. Judge Sandra Liliana Heredia said Uribe knew his actions were illegal.
The Post reported that the judge said the former president could serve his sentence under house arrest, though it is not yet clear, and that he can appeal the conviction.
According to The Post, Uribe served as president from 2002 to 2010 and is credited with turning the tide of his country’s 52-year civil war against leftist insurgents. The Post noted that even before the judge had completed delivering her verdict, U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio posted a statement on social media in defense of Uribe.