2024-03-25 02:28:18
The Special Jurisdiction for Peace (JEP) is evaluating the truth contributions of General (r) Mauricio Santoyo Velasco to determine his permanence in this special jurisdiction, in a joint hearing held by the Chamber for Definition of Legal Situations and the Recognition Chamber really.
During this procedure, carried out on March 21, judges Mauricio García, Óscar Parra and Gustavo Salazar presented a questionnaire to the appearing party about his alleged links with paramilitary groups during his period as Gaula commander in Medellín between 1997 and 2001. These links, which have been the subject of investigation by the ordinary justice system, are of utmost importance for cases 06 and 08 of the JEP , which address the victimization of members of the Patriotic Union and the crimes committed by public forces in collaboration with paramilitary groups or civilian third parties during the armed conflict.
During the proceedings, General Santoyo denied any responsibility for the events for which he is being prosecuted. and did not provide any new or relevant contribution to the truth, despite the magistrates’ warnings about the importance of this opportunity to make significant truth contributions.
The appearing party was warned that this hearing represents his last opportunity to make real contributions that comply with the standards of the JEP and the Comprehensive System for Peace. If you do not comply with these requirements, an incident of non-compliance could begin that could lead to your expulsion from this special justice.
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Currently, General (r) Santoyo faces two criminal proceedings partially suspended while he remains subject to the JEP: one for aggravated criminal conspiracy and forced disappearance, and another for illicit enrichment and money laundering. Santoyo was convicted in the United States for these latest crimes and served an 85-month prison sentence upon extradition.
In September 2021, Santoyo was accepted into the JEP for the two aforementioned processes and was granted the temporary benefit of deprivation of liberty in a police unit. However, if it is determined that he has breached the conditionality regime and is expelled from the JEP, the investigations against him will be referred to the ordinary justice system and he will remain deprived of his liberty.
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