This is what former FARC guerrillas say five years after the peace agreements (2021) 2:07
(CNN Spanish) --
Rodrigo Londoño, known by his alias "Timochenko" when he served as commander of the FARC, acknowledged this Tuesday, before the Special Jurisdiction for Peace of Colombia (JEP), the responsibility of the disappeared guerrilla in the kidnappings, which he described as "one of the most abominable crimes" committed by the organization in the armed conflict.
Londoño said that he was going as the last commander of the disappeared FARC-EP and a member of the leadership "to recognize the adoption and execution of the kidnapping policy within the disappeared FARC-EP. The acknowledgment of war crimes and crimes against humanity of non-amnestiable character", according to the transmission made by the JEP through its social networks.
We come "to assume our individual and collective responsibility in the face of one of the most abominable crimes committed by our organization as a result of a policy that led to crimes against humanity and war crimes (...) going against the values in which our fight was inspired," he declared.
"Timochenko's" statements were given within the framework of the Recognition Hearing established by the JEP.
The seven members of the last guerrilla secretariat participate in the audience.
In this group, in addition to Londoño, are Pablo Catatumbo Torres, Pastor Alape Lascarro, Milton de Jesús Toncel, Jaime Alberto Parra, Julián Gallo Cubillos and Rodrigo Granda Escobar.
Victims of guerrilla kidnapping in the context of the armed conflict also speak.
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In messages on his social networks, Londoño also expressed his request for forgiveness.
"Our desire is to repair the damage caused. I keep the hope of one day being sheltered by the liberating mantle of forgiveness of the victims, their families and Colombian society," wrote the former guerrilla who today serves as president of the Comunes party.
Alias "Timochenko" speaks at the Recognition Hearing.
(Credit: Special Jurisdiction for Peace)
The investigation into the FARC kidnappings
The JEP was created within the framework of the peace agreement between the government and the FARC, signed in September 2016. Its function is to administer transitional justice and hear alleged crimes committed in the context of the armed conflict before December 1 of that year. year.
In January 2021, the court called eight former guerrilla chiefs to answer for alleged serious war crimes and crimes against humanity.
The call was the result of more than two years of investigations and testimonies from witnesses and those involved in the so-called "case 01" about the human rights violations of thousands of Colombians who were kidnapped and illegally held by guerrillas in inhumane conditions. in the jungles of Colombia, mainly between 1993 and 2012.
With information from Florencia Trucco and Fernando Ramos.