In a review hearing of the file, the guarantee judge of the Accusatory Penal System in the province of Chiriquí, Bienvenida Araúz Chavarría, ordered on Tuesday, February 4, to reopen the process against eight citizens for the alleged commission of eight specific crimes included within the generic crimes against collective security, economic order, the administration of justice, and public faith.
The case had been provisionally archived on November 29, 2024, by the Subregional Agency of Bugaba; however, the legal representative of the company requested the review of the file in order for other evidence to be brought forth and the facts to be clarified. The case is related to crimes such as illicit association, violation of free competition, embezzlement, corruption of public officials, trafficking in influences, abuse of authority and breach of duties, fraud in public contracting acts, and document forgery.
After listening to the arguments from the parties involved, the judge decided to unarchive the process in order to continue investigating the case recorded on April 30, 2024, in Cerro Punta, Tierras Altas district. An irrigation project was granted through a state entity for the benefit of two farms that are allegedly owned by the company in question and not by the person registered as the owner.
In the hearing, Assistant Attorney Janela Ríos represented the Public Ministry, while the accused had the legal assistance of private defenders Paul Edgardo Cerrud and Freddy Martínez.
