Ex-Colombian minister convicted in slaying

Published: Oct. 11, 2007 at 9:09 PM

BOGOTA, Oct. 11 (UPI) -- A former Colombian Justice Minister was convicted Thursday of playing a role in the 1989 assassination of a presidential candidate.

Alberto Santofimio was sentenced to 24 years in prison for ordering the death of Luis Carlos Galan at the hands of hit men employed by former drug kingpin Pablo Escobar.

Galan had been a strong proponent of taking on the drug trade and campaigned on a platform of ending political corruption in the country.

Topics: Pablo Escobar

© 2007 United Press International, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Any reproduction, republication, redistribution and/or modification of any UPI content is expressly prohibited without UPI's prior written consent.

Order reprints

Most Popular Collections

'Star Trek Into Darkness' screening	NBC upfronts	Met Ball 2013
'Great Gatsby' premieres in New York	Spire raised on top of One WTC	2013: Celebrity break ups and divorces

Additional Top News Stories
Top News Monster tornado devastates Oklahoma City area; at least 51 dead OKLAHOMA CITY, May 20 (UPI) -- A huge tornado cut a devastating path in suburban Oklahoma City Monday, slamming schools, a hospital, businesses and homes, and killing at least 51 people. Arias character witness withdraws, mistrial denied Plea bargain offer made to Florida teen arrested for lewd behavior Church van crash in Illinois kills five, injures six Obama selects Sally Ride for posthumous Medal of Freedom	Entertainment News 'Safe Haven' marks Julianne Hough's first non-musical film lead U.S. singer, dancer and actress Julianne Hough says she was happy to tackle her first lead role in a non-musical movie in "Safe Haven." NBC orders reality-themed drama series 'Siberia' Seth MacFarlane won't host Oscars again 'Safe Haven' tops DVD sales chart New animated 'Star Wars' TV series on the way
Business News Saab upgrading bid for Brazil FX-2 contest RIO DE JANEIRO, May 20 (UPI) -- Sweden's Saab is upgrading its bid for Brazil's FX-2 jet fighter purchase plan, even as it weighs challenges from rivals Boeing and France's Dassault. Apple called international tax dodger Chinese analysts defend Sino-India trade imbalance Royalty Pharma increased its offer for Elan South Korea business failures rise in April	Odd News Dad arrested after girl, 9, crashes car PAINESVILLE, Ohio, May 20 (UPI) -- Police in Ohio said they arrested a man charged with child endangerment for allegedly allowing his 9-year-old daughter to drive a car, which she crashed. Toy helicopter triggers school fire sprinkler Border collies employed to keep geese from Central Experimental Farm Barbie dream house being reimagined in New York, India Your Daily Horoscope

Hostage victim mistakenly killed by police in Hempstead, N.Y.

Monster tornado devastates Oklahoma City area; at least 51 dead

Philippines coast guard defensive over killing

Dozens injured at Appalachian Trail Days parade in Damascus, Va.

Arias character witness withdraws, mistrial denied

Palestinian Security Forces Patrol the Border With Egypt.

View Caption

Enlarge Photo

A members of the Hamas security forces patrol the border area between Gaza and Egypt, in the southern Gaza Strip May 20, 2013. Egyptian police angered by the kidnapping of seven colleagues by Islamist gunmen kept a crossing into the Gaza Strip closed again for four days, stranding hundreds of Palestinian travellers, As Tunnels between Egypt and Gaza closed and border was declared as military zone. Palestinian security forces patrol around the border, witnesses said. UPI/Ismael Mohamad

Burglar destroys home and runs from cops, but stops mid-chase to grab a couple of beers by breaking...

Bomb shelters of the rich and famous

News: Canadian climbs Mount Everest. FARK: Double amputee conquers Mount Everest

Part-time model addicted to tanning in sun beds, admits she suffers from low-self esteem and tans...

Licensed volunteer wildlife rehabilitators help nurse animals back to health so they can reenter...

Oklahoma tornado thread #3. LGT live updates/streaming

UPI.com is your trusted source for world news, top news, science news, health news and current events.
We thank you for visiting us and we hope that we will be your daily stop for news updates.

Top News

Ex-Colombian minister convicted in slaying