• Colombian court overturns former President Álvaro Uribe's convictions for bribery and witness tampering.
• Uribe had been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest amid allegations of influencing witness testimony.
• The ruling cited "structural deficiencies" and insufficient evidence in the original trial.

A Colombian appeals court has overturned the convictions of former President Álvaro Uribe for bribery and witness tampering, setting aside a 12-year house arrest sentence initially handed down in August. The appellate court cited numerous "structural deficiencies" in the previous ruling, including a lack of rigorous evidence to support the claims against Uribe. Judge Manuel Antonio Merchan emphasized that the case lacked definitive proof of Uribe's alleged wrongdoing, leading to the overturn of his sentence, according to Reuters, LA Times, and BBC.

Uribe has consistently denied any allegations of misconduct, labeling his conviction as a product of political persecution. Despite his controversial past, Uribe has support among certain political factions in Colombia, and many view the latest court ruling as a significant victory for his defenders. The decision has energized both supporters and opponents of Uribe as the country approaches upcoming legislative and presidential elections, according to Anadolu Agency and Al Jazeera.

The case originated from allegations that Uribe orchestrated attempts to influence witnesses tied to a paramilitary group during his time in office. In the original trial, prosecutors alleged he conspired with a lawyer to discredit testimonies from imprisoned paramilitary members. However, the appeals court found methodological flaws and biases in how evidence had been evaluated, supporting Uribe’s assertion that he did not engage in criminal activities, as reported by India Times and South China Morning Post.

Following the ruling, the legal conflict continues as both prosecutors and victims plan to appeal the decision to Colombia's Supreme Court. This ruling is expected to significantly influence Colombia’s political future, particularly as Uribe has hinted at running for a senator position if his legal obstacles are removed, according to LA Times and BBC.