Alvaro Araujo belonged to a criminal ring by having close ties with a paramilitary commander and accepted money from the paramilitary group, the Supreme Court said Thursday during the sentencing. About 70 lawmakers, most of them supporters of Uribe, are being investigated for ties with the now-demobilized United Self-Defense Forces of Colombia (AUC).

The AUC was formed to fight leftist guerillas but, along with its rivals, was accused of civilian massacres, other human rights abuses and engagement in the drug trade. Over two decades of fighting, it was accused of killing at least 150,000 people and was designated a terrorist group by the United States and the European Union. The investigation has resulted in prison sentences for 30 lawmakers and 20 others have resigned.

Araujo Castro, who himself resigned from the Senate and had been in custody since 2007, was accused of having an alliance with Rodrigo Tovar Pupo, alias "Jorge 40," a former AUC commander.