Trial begins against former anti-corruption prosecutor, Eduardo Pantaleón

He Tenth Court of Criminal SentencingNarcoactivity and Crimes Against the Environment began this Thursday, February 29, the trial against the former prosecutor Eduardo Pantaleónaccused of hiding information in the case Chimaltenango Bypass to supposedly benefit the former Minister of CommunicationsJosé Luis Benito.

The accused appeared in the morning before Judge Erick Velásquez to follow up on his legal situation. Once the different phases of this debate have been exhausted, it will be resolved whether he will be acquitted or found guilty of the charges attributed to him by the Public Ministry (MP).

According to the investigations, the actions of the former employee of the investigating entity could correspond to the crimes of breach of duties and obstruction of criminal action.

You can also read: FECI reveals details of the conviction of former Minister Benito and indicates that it will appeal the sentence

The case against Pantaleón is in charge of prosecutor Ana Brenda Guzmán, who also follows up on the files against the former president of the International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG), Claudia González; and former prosecutor Stuardo Campo. Both defendants have argued political persecution.

Pantaleón also joined that position, since today in the Court Tower he stated that he did not commit illegalities and that they are seeking to hold him responsible for events that would have occurred after his departure from the Anti-Corruption Prosecutor’s Office.

#NOW Trial is underway against former prosecutor Eduardo Pantaleón, before Judge Érick Velásquez, of the Tenth Court of Criminal Sentencing, Narcoactivity and Crimes Against the Environment | Via @noel_solis pic.twitter.com/xVPNElnSFN

— Emisoras Unidas (@EmisorasUnidas) February 29, 2024

Accusations against the former prosecutor

Eduardo Gabriel Pantaleón Reyes was captured in May 2022 in an operation carried out by the National Civil Police and coordinated by the Internal Affairs Prosecutor’s Office.

The aforementioned office accuses him of allegedly hiding information to benefit the former Minister of Communications, José Luis Benito, and construction companies related to the case.

The investigation against him began ex officio after Judge Silvia de León noticed anomalies in the file during the former official’s first statement hearing.

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That day, upon being admitted to the Court Tower the day he was arrested, the prosecutor spoke about the accusations against him and assured that “he is showing his face.” Furthermore, he mentioned that his work was professional under the protection of the law.

“I can look any citizen in the eye, I don’t have to look down on anyone,” he said.

* With information from Omar Solís, Emisoras Unidas 89.7