Colombia: Dozens of Colombian soldiers went on trial accused of stealing $20 million of guerrilla drug money yesterday, much of which was spent on cars and prostitutes. One was said to have paid for a sex-change operation with the stolen cash.
A total of 147 soldiers, including three officers, have been charged with misappropriation of funds, but only 48 arrived at the court martial yesterday. The other 99 were being tried in absentia because they deserted after finding the stash in 2003.
Each of the soldiers who attended the trial was expected to give evidence.
The money is believed to have belonged to Colombia's largest and most powerful leftist rebel group, the Revolutionary Armed Forces of Colombia, known as Farc.
The elite troops were combing an area dominated by Farc when they found wads of Colombian pesos and American dollars in large plastic drums buried in the ground. The troops decided to keep their discovery quiet and divided the money.
Many deserted the army while others allegedly went on a spending spree, buying cars and jewellery and hiring brothels.
The court martial is expected to last more than a month. - (Guardian service)