Agents of Colombia’s Prosecutor General’s Office on Friday arrested former Congress President Luis Humberto Gomez Gallo for allegedly ordering the assassination of a colleague.
The arrest for the former lawmaker were warranted by the country’s Supreme Court, which wants the Conservative Party politician to stand trial for making a pact with paramilitary leader Eduardo Restrepo Victoria, alias “el Socio.”
The now extradited paramilitary warlord allegedly received COP300 million (US$152,000) from the politician to kill congressman Pompilio de Jesus Avendaño in 2001.
Two former members of the paramilitary group led by “El Socio” confirmed the transaction in testimony before prosecutors.
After being arrested, Gomez claimed to “feel very sad” about the high court’s decision to arrest him again, and denied all accusations.
“They will never find evidence against me. Never. I never met with any paramilitary in Tolima, ever,” the lawmaker told press.
