Jhonny Fernández declared in contempt of court over embezzlement of 191 million bolivianos
The former mayor of Santa Cruz did not appear at his hearing on precautionary measures and was declared in contempt of court, with an arrest warrant currently in effect against him.
Former Santa Cruz mayor in contempt of court after failing to appear at hearing over misappropriation of funds
The former mayor of Santa Cruz de la Sierra Jhonny Fernández was declared in contempt of court on Tuesday after failing to appear before the judge at his hearing on precautionary measures, according to El Deber. As a result of his absence, an arrest warrant is now in effect against him.
The judicial proceedings are investigating the alleged misappropriation of 191 million bolivianos intended for 17 municipal works. The Public Ministry requested his preventive detention in connection with the embezzlement case.
Fernández offered no justification for his absence. His lawyer, Samuel Durán Severiche, asserted that the former mayor would appear shortly in the courtroom where the session was to take place, and indicated that he would request guarantees of equality and legality.
In a statement released following the declaration of contempt of court, the former mayor claimed to perceive "an imminent risk" to his freedom and his procedural rights. "I do not ask for privileges nor special treatment: I demand that the law be upheld and that the guarantees afforded to every person be respected," he stated.
Fernández also demanded that the reasons for the change in the hearing date, the declaration of contempt of court, and the arrest warrant issued against him be explained and substantiated, and called for "the competent authorities to review the contested proceedings" and to guarantee a process "free from pressure, with full respect for due process and the right to defence".
The former mayor attributed his situation to political pressure from the current mayor, Carlos Manuel Saavedra, and municipal government officials, who, "in my view, could be influencing decisions that affect my personal freedom and my right to an effective defence".
In the same statement, Fernández listed a series of objections to the current municipal administration, suggesting that the judicial proceedings would, in his view, seek to divert attention from these irregularities:
- The commitment to reduce public transport fares would not have been fulfilled; according to his assertion, the fare increased from 3 bolivianos to 3.50 bolivianos.
- He alleged that more than 2,000 million bolivianos would have been collected without, in his view, any "work of transcendental impact for the city" being realised.
- He questioned the failure to distribute school packages to primary and secondary students, the non-distribution of computers, and the elimination of the 400 boliviano bonus that, according to him, was scheduled in the 2026 Annual Operating Plan.
The Public Ministry made no public statement on the political allegations made by the former mayor. The arrest warrant remains in effect pending Fernández's appearance before the judicial authorities.
Source: El Deber