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By Pulzo.com / NACIÓN
The demobilized chief of the AUC block served the 8 years of alternative penalty provided for in the Act for Justice and Peace
The freedom of former chief of the Elmer Cárdenas block of the extinct AUC was ratified by the Superior Court of Bogotá. The Court granted a defense appeal b the former member of the paramilitary group, says El Espectador.
Known by his alias “El Alemán”, Fredy is Daniel Rendón Herrera’s brother, and in the AUCs he was known as ‘Don Mario’, Both were demobilized in August, 2006, but only Fredy requested to be released with time served, says Caracol Radio.
Rendon’s release to the streets now depends on a certification by the Prosecutor’s Office that there are no detainers on him at the present time for any pending case.
At first, Rendón Herrera’s release had been denied by a sentencing judge, but a justice sitting in the Justice and Peace Court of Bogota’s Superior Court certified the serving of the alternative penalty.
Among the conditions that will have to be fulfilled when released are: notifying any change of address, maintain good behavior, not leaving the country, and continuing cooperating with the Justice System.
In a dialogue with W RADIO, Rendón stated that to be able to leave the prison, he will have to wait a few days until the Justice System gathers all other cases that may be pending against him for having been a member of the self-defense groups so that they can be included in the alternative penalty of 8 years.
Commentary: Today is a good day for Colombia-no matter what you thik of the paramilitaries, a deal is a deal and coolombia had made an agreement with the paras that if they came forward and told the truth (leaving aside the debatablity of that issue) they would only have to serve eight years in prison. But when a lower court reneged on the deal I thought it was shameful. But the higher court reversed the lower court ruling and restoring the integrity of the government. A deal is a deal. – David Zapp