BOGOTA, Colombia

Former right-wing Colombian President Alvaro Uribe Velez has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest, a decision delivered by Judge Sandra Heredia on Friday.

This marks a historic moment, as it is the first time a former Colombian president has been convicted and sentenced for a crime.

The sentencing comes after Judge Heredia found Uribe guilty on Tuesday of witness tampering and procedural fraud.

Uribe, who served as president from 2002 to 2010, was found to have attempted to obstruct justice in 2017 and 2018.

According to the court's findings, Uribe's associates offered benefits to former paramilitaries aimed at discrediting political adversary Senator Ivan Cepeda.

The conviction was the culmination of a high-profile legal case that began 13 years ago.

Throughout the process, the former president has consistently maintained his innocence. Uribe's defense team has announced it will appeal the decision.