In a courtroom ruling that stunned Colombia, a former president Alvaro Uribe has been sentenced to 12 years of house arrest. The charges? Witness tampering and bribery. Historic Judgment Shakes the Nation This marks the first time in Colombia’s modern history that a former head of state has received such a heavy legal punishment.

Uribe, who denies any wrongdoing, has pledged to appeal following his conviction for witness tampering and bribery.

Mr. Uribe, a towering figure in Colombian politics, was accused of trying to bribe a former paramilitary to retract testimony damaging to him.