Ex-commander of the defunct paramilitary group AUC, Ever Veloza Garcia alias “HH,” was charged with four counts in Colombia’s capital Friday after his extradition to the US in 2009.
Bogota’s Justice and the Peace prosecutor charged “HH” with counts of forced disappearance, forced displacement, sexual abuse, and illicit recruitment. In addition, 83 character witnesses spoke out against the ex-commander including indigenous people, several women and children, a journalist, a trade unionist, and a citizen of the Dominican Republic.
The hearing was held via video conference in the US, where “HH” has been since 2009, and over 40 members of different Justice and Peace departments throughout Colombia attended the meeting.
These charges come in tandem with Colombian security measures concerning crimes against humanity, war crimes and breaches of international humanitarian law.
“HH” was one of now several captured paramilitary leaders who identified former President of Colombia Alvaro Uribe as having ties to the AUC.
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