41.   Escobar had previously been arrested on extortion and murder charges but was released last year because of procedural errors made during his arrest.

42.   The US firm, Brown and Williamson had called for a new trial, claiming there were procedural errors in the handling of the case.

43.   They warned that guilty verdicts could be overturned because of procedural error.

44.   It said their appeal was rejected as the court found there were no procedural errors in their trial.