Former commanders of the left-wing guerrilla organization Farc have asked for forgiveness for abducting thousands of people during the internal conflict in Colombia. "There have been unfortunate incidents, such as the abduction of civilians, and we ask those who fell victim to this process to be forgiven," said former Commander-in-Chief and Farc's current leader, Rodrigo Londoño, at a hearing before the Special Justice for Peace.
"On behalf of the men and women who formed our organization, we take the collective ethical and political responsibility for the suffering on us," said Londono, according to the AP news agency.
During the internal conflict, the rebels had abducted many people. The most prominent hostage was presidential candidate Íngrid Betancourt, who had been under Farc's power for more than six years. According to the Colombian Prosecutor General's Office, more than 500 people were killed in hostages by the rebels.
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The decades-long conflict cost over 220,000 lives, most of them civilians. Among other things, the Farc financed itself among other things over the trade with drug and ransom payments.
By the end of 2016, the Farc and the Colombian government had ended the civil war. With the special justice now the crimes committed during the civil war are to be processed. The Farc wants to enter in the future as a political party for their goals as a fairer land distribution.
However, not all parts of the former guerrilla force are behind the reorientation. In some regions of Colombia, rebel groups appear to be forming again for armed struggle. (Read more about the resurgent violence in Colombia here.)