Uribe has been accused of links to paramilitary right-wing groups and the case involves suspicions that he bribed imprisoned militia members to withdraw their testimonies against him.
Uribe, who led the country from 2002 to 2010, has claimed that the trial was politically motivated. He is still a popular right-wing politician who, during his time in power, conducted a military operation against the Farc guerrilla, with which his successor Juan Manuel Santos later signed a peace agreement.
The investigation against Uribe began in 2018 and has taken many political turns, with several former justice ministers having tried to drop the case. The allegations gained new momentum under Justice Minister Luz Camargo, who was appointed by the current left-wing President Gustavo Petro.
This is the first time a former Colombian president has been convicted of a crime.
