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Colombia lawmakers facing arrest Colombia lawmakers facing arrest
(1 day later)
The Colombian Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of three members of Congress over their alleged ties to a right-wing paramilitary group.The Colombian Supreme Court has ordered the arrest of three members of Congress over their alleged ties to a right-wing paramilitary group.
The two senators and a member of the lower house, supporters of President Alvaro Uribe, deny the charges.The two senators and a member of the lower house, supporters of President Alvaro Uribe, deny the charges.
The United Self Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) has been accused of drug trafficking, extortion and massacring civilians. The United Self Defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) has been accused of drug trafficking, extortion and the massacre of civilians.
It is currently engaged in a peace process with the government. The court also ordered an investigation into another five politicians.
Awaiting trials
The AUC is currently engaged in a peace process with the government.
This has led to more than 33,000 fighters surrendering their weapons.This has led to more than 33,000 fighters surrendering their weapons.
Most AUC leaders are now in jail awaiting trials in which they face a maximum of eight years in prison under the terms of the peace process.Most AUC leaders are now in jail awaiting trials in which they face a maximum of eight years in prison under the terms of the peace process.
Laptop link The three congressmen - Erik Morris and Senators Alvaro Garcia and Jairo Merlano - will all face charges of supporting the creation of paramilitary groups in the Caribbean province of Sucre to help landowners fight off leftist rebels.
The three congressmen - Congressman Erik Morris and Senators Alvaro Garcia and Jairo Merlano - will all face charges of supporting the creation of paramilitary groups in the Caribbean province of Sucre to help landowners fight off leftist rebels.
Mr Garcia is also accused of murder for his role in "organising, promoting, arming and financing" paramilitaries and in connection with a massacre six years ago which saw 20 peasants killed.Mr Garcia is also accused of murder for his role in "organising, promoting, arming and financing" paramilitaries and in connection with a massacre six years ago which saw 20 peasants killed.
Mr Merlano is accused of belonging to the paramilitaries, and of taking money from them for his 2002 electoral campaign. Mr Merlano is accused of belonging to the paramilitaries and of taking money from them for his 2002 electoral campaign.
The politicians were questioned by the Supreme Court last month after their names reportedly appeared in files on a laptop computer owned by the aide of one of Colombia's main paramilitary leaders, Rodrigo Tovar Pupo.The politicians were questioned by the Supreme Court last month after their names reportedly appeared in files on a laptop computer owned by the aide of one of Colombia's main paramilitary leaders, Rodrigo Tovar Pupo.
The other five politicians under investigation are also from Sucre and are also considered to be strong supporters of President Uribe.
Correspondents say this is the largest political scandal to affect Colombia since the 1990s, when 14 congressmen were arrested for their links to drug traffickers.