Colombia peace tribunal: Ex-rebel shouldn’t be extradited
Posted May 15, 2019 10:53 am.
BOGOTA — The Colombia tribunal investigating crimes during the country’s long civil conflict says a top rebel peace negotiator should not be extradited to the United States on a drug warrant.
The Special Peace Tribunal announced Wednesday that Seuxis Hernandez should be freed from jail immediately.
The tribunal decided that there is not enough evidence to grant his extradition.
Hernandez is a blind rebel ideologue best known by his alias Jesus Santrich and has been jailed in Colombia since April 2018.
U.S. authorities contend he conspired with three others to bring cocaine into the U.S. with a wholesale value of $15 million.
Colombia’s peace accord allows rebels who confess their crimes to be spared jail time and extradition. But they aren’t protected for crimes committed after the December 2016 signing.
The Associated Press
