Colombia Three verdict ‘due in days’

THREE republicans accused of training Marxist rebels in Colombia could receive their trial verdict within days, it was claimed yesterday.

Supporters of Martin McCauley, Niall Connolly and James Monaghan were “treating with caution” reports that the verdict could surface today or Monday.

The trio were arrested by the Colombian authorities in August 2001 and accused of travelling on false passports and training the FARC militia.

The three Irishmen have been waiting in prison for the verdict since the end of their trial last August.

As she headed to the Colombian capital of Bogota, Sinn Féin Assembly member Caitriona Ruane, who headed the Bring Them Back Home campaign for the men, said they were cautious about reports of an imminent verdict.

The South Down MLA said from Paris: “There are indications that we will be getting a verdict within the next couple of days.

“However, we have been down this route before.

“Obviously we are hoping we get the right verdict and the men are able to leave Colombia safely.”

If convicted, it is believed the men could face up to 20 years in prison.

Campaigners have expressed concern about the impartiality of the Colombian judicial system.

Several Irish politicians have travelled to Bogota to attend the trial. The prisoners’ supporters have also met senior Colombian politicians as well as Dutch Embassy and United Nations officials.

Ms Ruane said the three Irishmen were living in “very difficult” prison conditions.

“They are anxious that we get the verdict soon,” she said.