Colombian Senator Piedad Cordoba said Thursday that she is being prosecuted for a “crime of opinion,” referring to charges placed against her by the inspector general of collaborating with the FARC guerrilla group.
Cordoba told reporters at the European Parliament in Brussels, which she is currently visiting to raise support for a proposed prisoner exchange with the FARC, that she reacted “very well” to the news of charges against her, “with such tranquility that I have not decided to move to Europe,” she quipped.
“As a law-abiding citizen I will go through the process, whether I agree with it or not, and I am absolutely sure that justice will prevail,” Cordoba said.
The senator recalled accusations that she was the “chief ambassador for the ELN” (National Liberation Army), made after Cordoba was abducted following mediation attempts fifteen years ago.
“Not only am I a member of a guerilla group, but today I am the adviser and consultant to the financial investments of the FARC in Europe,” Piedad joked.
Charges against her are based on evidence allegedly found in files belonging to dead FARC leader “Raul Reyes,” which the Inspector General’s Office claims suggest that the Cordoba collaborated with the FARC outside of the parameters of her role as a hostage release negotiator.
Cordoba is on a tour of Europe to rally international support for a humanitarian exchange. She visited Spain, Switzerland and France before traveling to Brussels, Belgium on Thursday to continue campaigning for her cause. Friday she will return to Paris for a press conference and then finally travel to Madrid, Spain before heading back to Colombia.
