A former Colombian Congressman was sentenced to
eight years house arrest for not voting on the 2006 re-election
of President Alvaro Uribe in exchange of favors.
Former Senator Teodolindo Avendaño disappeared on the day of the vote that would allow the 2006 re-election of Uribe possible. Avendaño had always been a vociferous opponent of the constitutional change.
According to the Prosecution, the senator received 200 million pesos (US$97 thousand) for his disappearance.
A second senator, Yidis Medina, had earlier been sentenced to house arrest for having voted in favor of the proposal after having been promised political favors by the government officials.
Congressman Ivan Diaz (Conservative Party), accused of being one of the promoters of the constitutional change who bribed the two, received six years in jail. Current Social Welfare Minister Diego Palacio and Sabas Pretelt de la Vega, current ambassador to Rome, are also suspected of being part of the bribe.
