Former Vice President of the Republic José Gabriel Carrizo (2019-2024) suffered a judicial setback. Thus, the unconstitutionality appeal that sought to have that judicial body handle the process against him for unjustified enrichment was not admitted. Since the appeal was not admitted, the Public Ministry can continue with the investigation it is conducting for the crime of unjustified enrichment against Carrizo. The Court's decision was communicated through Edict No. 484, posted in the Court's Secretariat on April 1 and signed by magistrate Carlos Alberto Reyes, who acted as the presenter. On January 28 of this year, the guarantee judge charged Carrizo and ordered his house arrest for the alleged crime of unjustified enrichment. However, during the hearing, his lawyers argued that the judge lacked the competence to hear the case, as, by constitutional provisions, his client is a member of Parlacen. Despite the warning from Pedro Meilán and Roberto Moreno, from Carrizo's legal team, the judge decided to proceed with the hearing and sent the appeal to the Court. During the hearing, Moreno cited a ruling by magistrate José Troyano (2003) which states that in cases like this, constitutional norms prevail, which establish that upon completing their government term, both the President and Vice President of the Republic automatically acquire the status of deputies of Parlacen. The unconstitutionality warning argues that the judge's actions violated Carrizo's human rights protection norms during the hearing and that the case should have been sent to the Court immediately. As part of its investigation, the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor's Office maintains that the former vice-president obtained income amounting to $7.1 million during his tenure. However, after concluding his term, his declared assets exceeded $9 million, which results in an unjustified difference of $1.9 million. The prosecutor's claims are based on an audit report from the Comptroller General of the Republic that reveals the alleged increase in the former vice-president's assets. Carrizo also went to the Third Chamber of the Court through a lawsuit to annul the Comptroller's audit, but this was also not admitted by this judicial body. The Supreme Court of Justice determined that he has no right to be considered a member of the Central American Parliament (Parlacen).
