Colombia’s prosecutor requested Tuesday that ex-paramilitary commander “Jorge 40” be exempt from any reduced sentencing that could be afforded to him through special legislation created for the demobilization of the AUC, reported national media.
The Justice and Peace Law was established in 2005 to regulate the demobilization of paramilitary fighters. For their cooperation, former fighters could expect reduced prison sentences of 5-8 years.
Semana magazine reports that Prosecutor General Eduardo Montealegre has requested that Jorge 40, real name Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, be exempt due to his lack of compliance with the Colombian government and failing to comply to the principles of justice, peace and reparation for the victims caused by the country’s civil conflict.
Jorge 40 was commander of the Northern bloc of the AUC from 1997 until 2006 when he and his troops demobilized. He was extradited to the United States in 2008 to face charges of drug trafficking.
He faces numerous accounts of massacre, forced displacement of civilians, land dispossession, targeted killings and the recruitment of children as soldiers.
A decision on the prosecutor general’s request will be made on February 28 by the secretariat of the Justice and Peace Courts in Barranquilla.
