Rivadeneira is center of criticism by the Jiménez case

After the raid on past days to housing and office of Assemblyman Cléver Jimemez (Pachakutik) made by the Prosecutor, the figure fn the immunity held by our assembly members has been questioned. Jimenez and his advisor Fernando Villavicencio are under investigation for alleged interception mailing of President and government authorities.

Assemblyman said that his condition has been disrespected as a legislator with a possible “excess” by Gabriela Rivadeneira, president of the National Assembly. It seems that by means of a document signed by George Blum, judge of the National Court, Rivadeneira authorized the raid on the home of Jimenez.

As “arbitrary” was called the decision taken by Rivadeneira, said the legislator Lourdes Tibán. She said that among Rivadeneira functions, she is not authorize to allow the entry of personnel from other state functions to the office of a “citizen representative” and that the congress has the authority to allow such incursions.

According to the Constitution in Article 128 and 111 of the Organic Law of the Legislative said Assembly members will not be civilly or criminally responsible for the opinions expressed, nor for any decisions or actions undertaken in the exercise of their functions, inside and outside the Assembly.

For their part, legislators as Diego Salgado (Creo) see Rivadeneira actions as “disrespect towards minorities” and “abuse of power”. Pachakutik evaluates the possibility of appealing to the Parliamentary Union and set a precedent in the case.