29/07/2003
Colombia three to appear in court
The three Irish men facing charges relating to the training of left-wing FARC guerrillas in Colombia are expected to make their first appearance in court on Wednesday.
The three men Niall Connolly, Martin McAuley and James Monaghan have, to date, refused to appear before the court because they claim they would not receive a fair trial and that they feared for their safety.
In his concluding statement, Prosecutor Carlos Sanchez said that since 1998 there had been an increase in terrorist violence in Colombia and that this coincided with IRA members visiting the country.
However at the end of the prosecution’s summing up on Monday evening, the legal team for the defence requested that their clients be allowed to make a statement in court, which is their right under the Colombian justice system.
Although the case is expected to be concluded this week following the statements from the defence, sentencing is likely to be deferred for some weeks.
(SP)
The three men Niall Connolly, Martin McAuley and James Monaghan have, to date, refused to appear before the court because they claim they would not receive a fair trial and that they feared for their safety.
In his concluding statement, Prosecutor Carlos Sanchez said that since 1998 there had been an increase in terrorist violence in Colombia and that this coincided with IRA members visiting the country.
However at the end of the prosecution’s summing up on Monday evening, the legal team for the defence requested that their clients be allowed to make a statement in court, which is their right under the Colombian justice system.
Although the case is expected to be concluded this week following the statements from the defence, sentencing is likely to be deferred for some weeks.
(SP)
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