Sinn Féin TD Sean Crowe has said he would fear for the safety of the three Irish men sentenced by a Bogota court this week if they were to return to face the Colombian judicial system.
Speaking on RTÉ Radio, Mr Crowe said he has no knowledge of the whereabouts of Martin McCauley, James Monaghan and Niall Connolly, who were sentenced on Thursday to 17 years in prison for terrorist charges.
The three men are believed to have fled the region.
Colombian authorities have begun a search for the men while Interpol prepares to issue international arrest warrants.
But Mr Crowe said that if the three men turn themselves in now, they would put their lives at risk.
Sinn Féin Assembly members Gerry Kelly and Catriona Ruane have travelled to Colombia to meet lawyers representing the three Irishmen.
Lawyers and campaigners for the men are considering an appeal to the country's Supreme Court.
