The Colombian government has confirmed politicians convicted for having paramilitary links will be allowed to leave jail temporarily on election day, Colombian media reported.
The Justice Minister Juan Carlos Esguerra said “There are some who have requested permission and have obtained it and in relation to these decisions we cannot do anything other than respect the permission given because that is our obligation.” Esguerra added “We are reviewing whether these decisions can be appealed.”
The first para-politician who is known to have requested permission to leave on polling day is Juan Carlos Martinez Sinisterra. The justice minister declined to give the names of the other para-politicians who have requested permission to leave on election day on October 30.
