Colombia court sentences five ex-soldiers over 35 civilian killings

Colombia’s Special Jurisdiction for Peace sentenced five former army members to up to six and a half years of restricted freedom and restorative work for murdering and disappearing 35 civilians in Dabeiba between 2002 and 2006. The soldiers admitted responsibility for crimes tied to the “false positives” scandal, in which civilians were killed and falsely reported as guerrillas slain in combat. Their reparations include searching for missing people, humanitarian work and rebuilding roads and bridges; information they provided helped lead to the recovery of 77 bodies. The tribunal’s sentences reflect its approach of imposing restorative sanctions on those who fully confess and cooperate, while non-cooperation can bring prison terms.