Ex-FARC guerrilla chief claims responsibility for more than 20,000 kidnappings in Colombia

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Rodrigo Londoño, nicknamed “Timochenko”, before the special court on June 21

Photo: Carlos Ortega/EPA

The former leader of the Colombian guerrilla group FARC, Rodrigo Londoño, nicknamed "Tymoshenko", has claimed responsibility for more than 20,000 kidnappings in court.

On behalf of the 13,000 fighters of the rebel group, which signed a peace agreement with the Colombian government in 2016, Londoño acknowledged the "individual and collective responsibility for one of the most heinous crimes" committed by FARC, Londoño said Tuesday at a hearing before a special court in Bogotá.

The thousands of kidnappings are "the result of a policy that has led to crimes against humanity and war crimes," he said.

In addition to Londoño, the FARC commanders Pablo Catatumbo, Julián Gallo, Pastor Alape, Milton Toncel, Rodrigo Granda and Jaime Alberto Parra will also be heard in Bogotá until Thursday.

They are accused of more than 21,000 kidnappings and other crimes between 1990 and 2016.

Some kidnapping victims, mostly politicians or members of the military, also attended the hearings of the special court.

The court wants to take at least three months to announce the sentences of the accused.

The special courts were set up in 2016 as part of a peace deal between the Colombian government and FARC.

Former members of the guerrillas who cooperate with the courts and help clarify the FARC's crimes can thus avoid prison sentences.

The rebel group disbanded in 2016.

Former guerrilla leader Londoño had already apologized for the FARC's actions in 2019.

The special court also acts against members of the military whom it accuses of massive human rights violations.

For example, between 2002 and 2008 the army is said to have executed around 6,400 civilians in several regions of the country and portrayed them as guerrilla fighters in return for bonuses, promotions and other material benefits for the military.

To date, only around 20 military personnel have admitted their involvement in the crimes.

AP/AFP/MGO