The hearing about coercive measures for 10 of the 14 charged in the Odebrecht case began at 10am yesterday, Tuesday 6 June, 2017. Supreme Court Judge, Francisco Ortega Polanco, began the proceedings by changing the venue, selecting a smaller courtroom and only allowing the accused, their lawyers, and the Public Prosecution Service to enter. He also allowed accredited press, cameramen and photographers to enter but not the relatives or friends of those charged.
The hearing began with the judge asking the representatives of the Public Prosecution Service to conclude with their requests to impose preventive custody on the accused. He then told the defense lawyers that they would have the opportunity to speak in order.
Ortega Polanco has different options for coercive measures. He can order the defendants to remain in preventive custody or he can agree to house arrest with security anklets and periodic court appearances.
The lawyers for Radhamés Segura, Roberto Rodríguez, César Sánchez and Temístocles Montás have stated they will request house arrest for their defendants as they supposedly have health problems that require specialized care. Segura would later contradict his lawyer and said that he does not suffer from health problems.
The prosecutors asked the judge to impose 18 months on remand in jail for all accused and that serve their detentions in Najayo jail, except Ángel Rondón, who prosecutors requested be sent to La Victoria. The reason for the remand requests was to guarantee their appearance during the process, as they were said to be a flight risk. Other reasons for the strict detention requests from prosecutors included the gravity of the offence, the protection of witnesses and the avoidance of destruction of evidence.
Defending lawyers pointed to several errors in the accusatory document submitted by the prosecutors and argued the innocence of their clients, calling for their simple release.
At 1am on Wednesday, 7 June 2017, Judge Ortega announced the decisions regarding preventive custody would be issued after 4pm.
Read more in Spanish:
El Caribe
Al Momento
Listin Diario
El Dia
7 June 2017
