The magistrates of the Supreme Electoral Court (SEC), Irma Palencia, Mynor Franco, Gabriel Aguilera and Rafael Rojas, who, at the request of the Public Ministry (MP), hope to appear before the judge controlling the case, despite the fact that the same judge did not agree to have their arrest warrants revoked.
The electoral judges lost their immunity, so they are being investigated for alleged irregularities. This in the purchase of the Preliminary Electoral Results Transmission (TREP) system, used in the 2023 general elections.
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César Calderón, defense lawyer for the magistrates, confirmed that they will appear before a court for the first statement hearing. It is scheduled for next April 22. They will be presented to the Twelfth Court of Criminal Instance, which agreed to a request for voluntary presentation. However, the arrest warrants remain in force.
The arrest warrants were issued on November 30. This after deputies of the Congress of the Republic voted in favor of withdrawing the right of pre-trial from the magistrates. These officials are outside the country.
🚨 #NOW First statement hearing scheduled for TSE magistrates
The first statement of the four TSE magistrates who are currently in exile was scheduled for April, after an arrest warrant for the TREP case. https://t.co/yEob3ESEnd
— Alexander Valdéz (@J_AlexValdez) March 7, 2024
According to the MP, through the Administrative Crimes Prosecutor’s Office, there are indications of possible illegalities in the purchase of the TREP. Therefore, he warrants that the four magistrates appear before a judge to clarify the facts.
The amount for the purchase of the system that was used in the first and second round votes last year had a cost of Q148 million. The process against the TSE magistrates was stalled due to a challenge raised by the MP against the first judge. This caused the file to be put in a courtroom for several weeks.
The above prevented a memorial from the electoral officials from being known, who requested that instead of keeping an arrest warrant active, they be summoned for a first statement hearing.
The challenge was accepted, but sources close to the officials have indicated that it has been repeatedly requested that the magistrates be summoned, which was achieved by the defense.
