Suitcase Case: Former Judge Quezada denies knowing Laura Rojas before the Public Prosecutor
The former president of the Santa Cruz Department Court of Justice appeared on Friday before the Public Prosecutor's Office and denied any link to the Suitcase case and to Laura Rojas.
Former Judge Quezada appears before the Public Prosecutor's Office and denies links to the Suitcase case
The former president of the Department Court of Justice (TDJ) of Santa Cruz, Aldo Ismael Quezada Cerruti, appeared on Friday before the Department Public Prosecutor's Office and denied having had knowledge of the Suitcase case, according to El Deber. Upon concluding his presentation, he rejected any connection with the investigation and insisted that his name, his family and his reputation are above any public office.
"No, I had no idea about the suitcases, and the whole world knows that. I had no idea," Quezada declared to journalists who were waiting for him as he left. When asked if he knew Laura Rojas, one of the people mentioned in the investigations, he responded with a terse "no".
The accusations of lawyer Joadel Bravo
Quezada's statements come after lawyer Joadel Bravo identified him as the judicial authority who led Laura Rojas to the Palace of Justice. According to Bravo, in less than two hours, permissions were issued there for the former deputy's two minor daughters to travel to the United States.
Bravo further maintained that the father of the minors had not authorised the children to leave the country, but that despite this Quezada intervened and had a juvenile court opened outside its usual hours—after 16:00—so that Rojas could go to collect the suitcases in California.
The resignation from the TDJ and the visa restriction list
Quezada was also asked about his departure from the presidency of the Santa Cruz TDJ, which occurred on 22 October, after his name appeared among Bolivian citizens affected by new visa restrictions announced by the United States. The former court member then submitted his irrevocable resignation, both from the court presidency and from his position in the Second Constitutional Chamber.
The decision was made public after the president of the Supreme Court of Justice (TSJ), Rómer Saucedo, recommended that he step down from his functions and submit to the corresponding investigations. On Friday, Quezada defended that decision and ruled out clinging to the office. "Because I would never cling to an office, I care more about my name, I care more about my family and my reputation," he stated.
Inclusion on the US list was one of the immediate antecedents to his resignation; however, that immigration measure does not in itself constitute a criminal conviction or establish responsibility for any crime.
Silence on the scope of his statement
During contact with the press, the former judge avoided commenting on the situation of the Judicial Branch and on Saucedo's departure from the country. "I have no reason to speak about anything, I have no reason," he responded before thanking journalists.
He also did not clarify whether his appearance before the Public Prosecutor's Office corresponded to a formal statement, nor did he offer details about his situation within the investigation. "I am not going to tell you anything," he maintained. When asked about his defence and fear of possible legal consequences, he insisted: "I am not going to comment on anything".
Quezada left without explaining the specific reason for his presentation before the Public Prosecutor's Office or the scope of what he declared.
Source: El Deber