Álvaro Uribe sentenced: Jaime Granados, the former president's lawyer, requests that he remain free until the sentence is carried out.

At the end of the hearing in which the verdict against former President Álvaro Uribe was announced, his defense attorney, Jaime Granados, asked the judge to maintain the defendant's freedom until the end, as he has complied with all his appearances and has clearly identified ties to the criminal justice system.
According to Granados, the presumption of innocence remains in place until the sentence against the former president becomes final. In that regard, he asked the judge to exercise "a balanced and reasonable approach" to avoid issuing an arrest warrant against the now convicted man. He requested that "the freedom of the person who has appeared throughout the entire process be maintained."

Ruling against Álvaro Uribe Vélez. Photo: Mauricio Moreno. EL TIEMPO
According to Granados, the former president has always appeared and it is demonstrable that he has roots in the area where he currently resides, since he is a political leader of the Democratic Center and has a cattle business: " Allow him to take these factors into account in this task of punitive dosing," said Granados.
In this regard, the lawyer pointed out that Uribe Vélez's public profile prevents him from evading justice. He even asked the judge to allow him to submit documents evidencing the former president's commitment to appear.

Criminal lawyer Jaime Granados. Photo: EL TIEMPO
"I request that you maintain the freedom of Mr. Álvaro Uribe Vélez," Granados reiterated, noting that recent Supreme Court rulings have indicated that imprisonment does not take place immediately, but rather when the ruling becomes final or if there is a risk that the convicted person will evade justice, which would not be the case with the former president.
Juan Sebastian Lombo Delgado
eltiempo