Colombia three
Do not believe they will get a fair trial
RTÉ News has learned that the three Irishmen charged with training the FARC guerrilla movement in Colombia are not going to appear in court today. Niall Connolly, Martin McCauley and James Monaghan were arrested a year ago while travelling on false passports.
Two weeks ago, the three men refused to turn up in court for the initial hearing of their case, claiming they would not get a fair trial.
It is understood that when the case is called again today in Bogota, the men will refuse to appear in court and that their lawyers will read a statement on their behalf, restating that they do not believe they will get a fair trial.
Under Colombian law, a defendant may refuse to attend his trial, which will then go ahead in his absence.
It is expected that a schedule will be outlined at today's hearing for the taking of evidence from both prosecution and defence witnesses.
In a separate development, Sinn Féin has condemned it claims is a deliberate decision by the Colombian authorities to refuse a visa to Francie Molloy to attend the hearing in Bogota.
