Court rejection of criminal complaint against lawmakers sparks criticism

The rejection by the  Supreme Court (CSJ)of a complaint against the president of The National Assembly after auditors were refused entry to conduct an audit of lawmaker expense forms has sparked widespread criticism as another example of impunity.

The Court  (CSJ) rejected the complaint of the  Comptroller General, Federico Humbert,  against, Yanibel Ábrego, for the alleged commission of the crime against the public administration. “In the absence of the appropriate test”

The criminal proceeding was filed after, officials of the Comptroller who were preparing to perform a forensic audit to the 080 form that listed  3,508  officials with expenditures listed as  “other personal services, ” were blocked  from entering  the building by security  personnel

The judges voted seven to one in favor of rejection.

The criticisms were immediate and led to a storm of denunciations on social media after the decision was known.

Freddy Pitti, of the group Together We Decide, described it as unacceptable. He told El Siglo “Once again, the failure of the system of checks and balances is evident, as well as a special law for the investigation of deputies that works more like a shield. We are talking about millions that were allegedly misused.”

Juan Carlos Araúz, of the Lawyers Association, pointed out that “special judgments are obstacles to justice. It is necessary to repeal everything that refers to special cases and apply the same rules of investigation applicable to ordinary citizens, even before the plenary session of the Court.”

Anette Planells of the Independent Movement group (Movin), said: “it  is ridiculous that they do not admit it because it is a public and well-known fact, but if they want more proof, surely the comptroller will not have any problems presenting them.”

[At a second blocking this week, when security staff removed files  including auditor reports the action was filmed.]