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National Court requests authorization to prosecute Correa
Posted On 12 Jun 2018
Ecuadornews:
The National Court of Justice (NCJ) requested the National Assembly authorization for the “criminal prosecution” to Rafael Correa, former president of the Republic, for the alleged crime of conspiracy in the case of kidnapping of politician Fernando Balda.
Due to the term of the fiscal instruction pases, which will end on July 18, by means of a letter addressed to the Speaker of Parliament, Elizabeth Cabezas, asks “in a term not exceeding 72 hours the Legislative proceed to issue the corresponding pronouncement” .
The request was formalized, after the State Attorney General (e), Paúl Pérez Reina, in writing, asked the NCJ “to indicate the day and time to effect the conclusion of the bonding hearing” to the former president.
He argues his request considering that “in the present fiscal instruction have appeared data of which presumes the participation of another person” in the crime being investigated.
In addition, the prosecutor requested the respective notification, via email, to Alexis Mera, defense lawyer of the former president
In a statement, the Assembly noted that “they are waiting for the entry of the request of the NCJ related to the request for linkage with the fiscal instruction of the economist Rafael Correa Delgado, to pronounce us.”
He adds that as of public knowledge, as of May 2017, the economist Rafael Correa Delgado no longer exercises the functions of President of the Republic. Therefore, Article 120 of the Constitution, numeral 10, does not apply.
The judicial authorities must proceed within the framework of their competences. “Correa fulfilled the functions of Constitutional President of the Republic between 2007 and 2017, period in which the facts that are investigated allegedly would have been committed.
The process began after the complaint filed by Balda, exlegislator by the Patriotic Society Party (PSP). In 2012, Balda was kidnapped in the city of Bogotá (Colombia) by members of the National Intelligence Secretariat (Senain).
Pablo Romero is in Portugal
The ex-titular of the National Secretariat of Intelligence (Senain), Pablo Romero, will render his free and voluntary version of the Balda case, on Tuesday, June 19, from Portugal, so it will be via telematics.
The announcement was made on Monday, June 11, by his defense lawyer, Stalin Oviedo, underlining that “there are not enough guarantees for him to be present” in the country for this call by the Prosecutor’s Office.
Romero, who is considered a key player in establishing the responsibility of former President Rafael Correa in the kidnapping of political activist Fernando Balda, has been summoned for the third time to the Prosecutor’s Office.
“Pablo Romero is willing to give his version,” confirmed his lawyer, and insisted that this judicial process has political purposes. As an example, he pointed out that the checks with which the kidnapping operation would have been financed came from the Directorate General of Intelligence of the Police and not from the Senain as it wants to appear.
On Romero, the criminal judge of the NCJ, Daniela Camacho, asked the Government and the Police to request a red alert to Interpol to stop the former Secretary of the Senain.
Order that according to Oviedo can not be given, because there is an appeal that is pending in the CNJ, and on the other hand is a preventive prison, not a firm prison.
The former official was linked in the trial after the prosecution argued that there are sufficient indications of his participation in the alleged crime against Balda, which took place in August 2012 in Bogotá, Colombia.
In addition to Romero, Fausto Tamayo, former commander of the National Police, and three agents of the General Directorate of Police Intelligence are also investigated. These four are in detention.
On Monday, June 11, Assemblyman Fernando Callejas (CREO) asked the Comptroller General of the State to audit the monies of the Secretariat of Public Administration and the Particular Secretariat of the Presidency of the Republic.
The parliamentarian indicated that if this is proven, the crime of embezzlement would be constituted because it is the use of public resources for the commission of an illegal act, which could be determined as a State crime.
The process
This year the case was reactivated
On Tuesday, January 23, 2018, the State Attorney General’s Office reactivated the investigation into the abduction of Ecuadorian political activist Fernando Balda on August 13, 2012 in Bogotá, Colombia.
5 linked in the case there are so far: Luis Ch., Jéssica F., Jorge E., Fausto T. and Pablo R.
Steps are intensified
Between morning and next July 18 it is planned that 31 diligences be practiced. (I)
