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Colombia orders Uribe ally arrest Colombia orders Uribe ally arrest
(about 1 hour later)
Colombian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of a cousin and key ally of President Alvaro Uribe over alleged ties to paramilitary groups.Colombian prosecutors have ordered the arrest of a cousin and key ally of President Alvaro Uribe over alleged ties to paramilitary groups.
The chief prosecutor's office said Mario Uribe Escobar was accused of criminal conspiracy. Mario Uribe Escobar, who stepped down as a senator last October, is accused of criminal conspiracy.
Mr Uribe, who stepped down as a senator last October, denies any wrongdoing. He denies any wrongdoing but has sought political asylum in Costa Rica.
He is one of the most prominent figures caught up in the scandal that has seen dozens of politicians arrested over alleged links to paramilitaries. He is one of the most prominent figures caught up in the scandal that has seen dozens of politicians arrested over their alleged links to paramilitaries.
'Parapolitics''Parapolitics'
A jailed former paramilitary leader, Salvatore Mancuso, has alleged that he met several times with Mario Uribe, who asked him to support his senate campaign in 2002.A jailed former paramilitary leader, Salvatore Mancuso, has alleged that he met several times with Mario Uribe, who asked him to support his senate campaign in 2002.
A statement from the prosecutor's office accused Mr Uribe of entering into "agreements to promote illegal armed groups," the Associated Press news agency said.A statement from the prosecutor's office accused Mr Uribe of entering into "agreements to promote illegal armed groups," the Associated Press news agency said.
One of his lawyers, Jose del Carmen Ortega, said Mr Uribe went to the Costa Rican embassy in Bogota to seek asylum shortly after the arrest warrant was issued.
To date, inquiries have been opened into dozens of current or former members of congress over their alleged ties to the United Self-defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries in what has been dubbed the "parapolitics" scandal.To date, inquiries have been opened into dozens of current or former members of congress over their alleged ties to the United Self-defence Forces of Colombia (AUC) paramilitaries in what has been dubbed the "parapolitics" scandal.
Most of those being investigated are allies of President Uribe. The president remains popular, however, for overseeing aggressive military action against leftist rebels.Most of those being investigated are allies of President Uribe. The president remains popular, however, for overseeing aggressive military action against leftist rebels.
He also negotiated the 2003 peace deal that saw paramilitary leaders surrender and demobilise 31,000 of their men in exchange for reduced jail terms and protection from extradition.He also negotiated the 2003 peace deal that saw paramilitary leaders surrender and demobilise 31,000 of their men in exchange for reduced jail terms and protection from extradition.
The right-wing militias were created by landowners and drug-traffickers to combat left-wing rebels and anyone suspected of being a sympathiser.The right-wing militias were created by landowners and drug-traffickers to combat left-wing rebels and anyone suspected of being a sympathiser.
The paramilitary groups, including the AUC, and the leftist rebels are listed by the US and the European as terrorist organisations.The paramilitary groups, including the AUC, and the leftist rebels are listed by the US and the European as terrorist organisations.