FCT Active: Requests pre-trial against Arevalo in defense of Porras

The Foundation Against Terrorism (FCT) restarted its machinery and this time filed a complaint against President Bernardo Arevalo in defense of the Attorney General, María Consuelo Porras Argueta, who has brought cases against the former from the Ministry of Public Affairs (MP) in criminal proceedings. Prosecutors and former judges who have been condemned by the same far-right organization and who are now exiled or imprisoned.

Over the past six months, the FCT has been in charge of corroborating the MP’s narrative of alleged electoral fraud in the last 2023 general elections, which gave victory to Arewalo.

Its president, Ricardo Mendez-Ruiz, insisted that the president should not take office on January 14 and was accused of attempting a “coup” with MPs.

In defense of Poras

A complaint was presented by Mendez Ruiz this Saturday, February 3, against Arevalo, in his capacity as President of the Republic of Guatemala, for the alleged crime of abuse of power, and now the MP must request the withdrawal of immunity, as the agent enjoys the right to pretrial.

The president of that organization reprimanded that Arevalo publicly announced before taking office that he would ask Porras to resign, the same Organization of American States (OAS) and the international community accused the attorney general of torpedoing a change of command between former president Alejandro Giamattei. . And Arevalo.

“Deliberately, on repeated occasions and even before the media, in official proceedings he has demanded the resignation of the Attorney General of the Republic, Dr. María Consuelo Porras Argueta, which constitutes a clear abuse of power,” he said. A statement published on his official X account.

According to Mendez-Ruiz, Arevalo has «There is neither legal nor constitutional authority to request the resignation of the Attorney General, a position currently held by Dr. Consulo Porras, appointed through a constitutional process.“, he indicated.

The far-right activist, endorsed by the United States Angel List of corrupt and undemocratic actors, recalled the recent ruling of the Constitutional Court (CC) on October 19, 2023 that upholds the rule preventing the President from removing the attorney. General.

“Furthermore, both national laws and Constitutional Court resolutions indicate that the position of Attorney General is covered by a constitutional period of four years, and that there is only one reason for removal, which is activated when the head of the ministry is declared. Conviction for an intentional crime is as long as the sentence is final“, he pointed out.

Arevalo-Poras meeting

Likewise, he published the summons that President Arevalo issued to Porras in his office and then to the ministers who made up the cabinet of his government. The attorney general has refused to appear with the president and address four issues, including progress in an investigation into irregularities in the million-dollar purchase of a COVID-19 vaccine, pointing to former President Giamattei’s partner Miguel Martinez.

“Knowing that the Constitution and the law governing executive action prevent the summoning and appearance of strangers before the Council of Ministers, he invited the Attorney General to attend this Council, which would discuss matters of national interest which were not his responsibility. Of the Public Prosecutor’s Office, as it is entrusted only with powers of criminal investigation and not of an advisory or other nature, that is why the Attorney General withdrew from the incident in order not to bear responsibility.” he added.

Sanctions to the Justice Sector

On February 2, the Council of the European Union (EU) adopted sanctions against the leadership of investigative entities, including the Attorney General, Secretary General of the Prosecutor’s Office, Ángel Pineda; Head of the Special Prosecutor’s Office Against Impunity (FECI), Rafael Kuruchiche; That unit’s prosecutor, Leonor Morales Lazo, and Seventh Criminal Judge A, Freddy Orellana.

Listed officials are subject to an asset freeze, and EU citizens and companies are prohibited from making funds available to them. In addition, people are also subject to travel restrictions, which prevent them from entering or transiting EU territories.

The EU said “this is a series of restrictive measures against five officials who undermine democracy, the rule of law or the peaceful transfer of power in Guatemala,” and from that account Mendez-Ruiz gave his opinion on them.

“The relevant authorities are requested to act in accordance with the law, ignoring the pressure of the United States Department of State, as well as the institutions of the European Community and other institutions that are dedicated to putting pressure on various state agencies. Justice administration system,” he concluded.