Maria del Pilar Hurtado, the former head of Colombia's secret police, has just been sentenced to 14 years for spying on politicians, judges and journalists.

Hurtado, who before turning herself over to the authorities in January had at one time fled to Colombia and was even granted asylum in Panama, was in charge of the now-defunct Administrative Security Department from 2007-2008, when the offences occurred.

The 51-year-old was convicted of intercepting phone calls and abusing public office. While illegally spying, Hurtado targeted political opponents of Alvaro Uribe, who was president at the time.

Aside from Hurtado, Bernardo Moreno, Uribe's former chief of staff, was given an eight year sentence for his involvement which will be served at his home.

As reported by the BBC, Colombia's Supreme Court has also called former President Uribe, who is now a senator and the head of a right-wing opposition party, to be investigated for whatever his role in the scandal might have been.

In response, Uribe tweeted that he would answer the court on Tuesday, while expressing his sadness over hearing the fates of his onetime political aides.

Uribe has denied any knowledge of the illegal intercepts. All allegations regarding the illegal spying were made public in 2010.

As of now, as reported by Colombia Reports, the Accusations Committee of the House of Representatives will receive evidence gathered by the prosecution and the court in an effort to advance the investigation against the former president.

There is some uncertainty as to whether any of this will actually result in a case against Uribe, as the convening body has become notorious for being ineffective.

As detailed in the Washington Post Uribe has caused a stir by referring to his successor Juan Manuel Santos as “a traitor” and “a scoundrel” for trying to negotiate for peace with the Marxist guerrilla group FARC.