An ex-paramilitary member in Colombia was sentenced to 24 years and two months in prison for killing journalist Álvaro Alonso Escobar 10 years ago, reported the Foundation for a Free Press.

The journalist was killed at his home in the city of Fundación, Magdalena, on Dec. 23, 2001, reported the newspaper El País. Alonso Escobar was an independent journalist and also ran a weekly publication in the city, the newspaper added.

Edgar Ariel Córdoba Trujillo was sentenced after confessing to his involvement in the crime before a Human Rights and International Humanitarian Law prosecutor, reported Radio Santa Fe.

According to the newspaper El Tiempo, the Attorney General of Colombia announced that the ex-paramilitary member was also fined more than $467,000.

Colombia has one of the lowest press freedom scores in Latin America, according to Reporters Without Borders' 2011-2012 Press Freedom Index.