The former president has previously been investigated for bribery and fraud and now another investigation will investigate whether he bribed and in other ways tried to influence potential witnesses against him. The court considers that there is a risk that Uribe could prevent the course of justice and has therefore made a unanimous decision on house arrest.

The message is praised by several human rights organizations.

- The court shows that everyone, even the most powerful, is equal before the law, says José Miguel Vivanco, President of America for Human Rights Watch.

"A great sorrow for my family"

Uribe denies all allegations and has repeatedly questioned the independence of the judiciary.

"The fact that my freedom has been taken away from me is a great sorrow for my wife, my family and for the Colombians who still believe that I have done something good for the country," he wrote on Twitter.

Criticized and praised

Álvaro Uribe was president between 2002 and 2010 and has been described as a mentor to the current president Iván Duque.

During his political career, he has repeatedly been accused of links to drug cartels and paramilitary right-wing groups, as well as repeated human rights violations. But he also has strong support from the country's conservatives and has been praised for his major military offensives against the country's leftist guerrillas.