A Colombian Court sentenced two men to 37 years and nine months in jail for the murder of Eudaldo Leon Diaz, former mayor of the town of Roble in the northern department of Sucre, who was assassinated for denouncing corruption in 2003.
The perpetrators, Edelmiro Alberto Anaya Gonzalez and Carlos Enrique Verbel Vitola, were jailed for Diaz’s murder and were also ordered to pay compensation of close to $1 million for their role in the homicide.
In February 2003 Diaz, having spoken out against departmental corruption, feared for his life and begged Colombian President Alvaro Uribe, live on television, to protect him. He received no additional security, and was found dead on April 10, 2003. He had been tortured.
The former governor of Sucre, Salvador Arana, was sentenced to 40 years in jail in early December 2009 for his role in Diaz’s murder and for his ties to paramilitary groups.
