Prosecutor requests  hearing of deputy facing sex crime probe

Supreme Court Justice Olmedo Arrocha, who is acting as prosecutor of PRD Deputy Arquesio Arias for alleged sexual crimes, has called for imputation hearing on Friday, October 18.

The announcement came as more allegations surfaced of offenses against teen-aged girls, members of a school basketball team and after President Laurenzo Cortizo has had suggested that in a similar position he would have stepped aside from his seat in the Assembly while the case was investigated. Moves by two CD Party  legislators to get Arias to stand down failed.

Arias, a doctor, has described the allegations as a political plot. The initial investigations by the Court were. for alleged sexual crimes against a minor, and a 22-year-old girl. 

The Judicial Branch reported that Judge Arrocha has also requested the holding of a precautionary measure hearing by the full plenary of the Court, who are competent to hear these requests, in accordance with the provisions of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“A prosecuting  Magistrate can request any of the precautionary measures indicated in the Code. The only thing that we cannot ask for is the separation of the position of the deputy from the  Assembly “ said a judicial Tweet

At a Monday press conference Arias said that the two patients are sisters and relatives of a classmate who competed against him in the primary and He added that in the last week the case has taken a total turn, but despite this, he will not oppose the development of any investigation. “All this is affecting my family and the party. It is a local political conspiracy. It is a case to attack my party and my political career,” Arias said repeatedly.