Court Ratifies Cerimedo's Detention for 180 Days and Orders Transfer to Palmasola
The Criminal Court confirmed the preventive detention of Fernando Cerimedo for attempted femicide and ordered that he serve the sentence at Santa Cruz's Palmasola prison.
Cerimedo Will Remain Detained for 180 Days and Be Transferred to Palmasola, According to Criminal Court Ruling
The Criminal Court that reviewed Fernando Cerimedo's appeal ratified on Tuesday the preventive detention for 180 days in the case of attempted femicide against his ex-partner, lawyer Nadia Beller, and determined that the measure must be served at Palmasola prison in Santa Cruz. Defence lawyer Margarita Arce informed El Deber of this, announcing that the defence will formally request the transfer of the Argentine from La Paz.
The ruling was announced following the appeal hearing in which the defence challenged the original protective measure and questioned, amongst other aspects, the elements used to support the probability of authorship.
The Assessment of Evidence in Dispute
Arce argued that one of the points that partially favoured her client was the way the judges evaluated the elements of authorship. According to the lawyer, the messages and chats presented during the investigation were not considered sufficient in themselves to establish responsibility. "It is only evidence for him, but the investigation must continue," Arce explained when referring to the criterion expressed at the hearing.
The defence added that the Court had noted the absence of a direct message between Cerimedo and the alleged hired killers, as well as evidence proving a direct payment to carry out the attack against Beller. Arce further specified that, as it was a protective appeal, it was not possible to incorporate new evidence during that stage.
Beller Maintains That Probability of Authorship Was Confirmed
The interpretation of the complainant differs from that of the defence. Nadia Beller posted on social media that the Court's ruling confirmed the probability of authorship attributed to Cerimedo. "On appeal, the probability of Fernando Cerimedo's authorship in the crime of attempted femicide was confirmed," Beller wrote, noting also that the Court upheld the order issued at the protective hearing and considered the procedural acts carried out to date to be lawful.
During the hearing, the resources presented by the complainant's side were also analysed. According to Arce, the appeal filed by Beller together with her lawyer Jerjes Justiniano was declared inadmissible.
The Defence Prepares Transfer and New Cessation Request
With the ratification of the measure and the 180-day period confirmed, but with the order that detention be served in Santa Cruz, the defence is preparing the formal transfer request. Arce explained that the principal case falls under Santa Cruz's jurisdiction and that, given the judge's ruling in that case has been ratified, it corresponds that Cerimedo returns to that district. "We will request, with the ruling issued by the judge, that they bring Fernando Cerimedo here," the lawyer stated.
Cerimedo is currently deprived of liberty in La Paz due to a parallel case on alleged money laundering, in which preventive detention is also in force.
Arce also announced that Cerimedo's lawyers are preparing a hearing for cessation of the preventive detention, this time with elements that, according to the defence, could not be considered in the first hearing. The strategy contemplates requesting unrestricted liberty at first instance and, alternatively, a less severe measure such as house arrest with authorisation to work. "The first thing we will request is unrestricted liberty so that he can defend himself," Arce stated, although she acknowledged that she considers it unlikely that that request will be accepted.
Current Status of the Case
For now, Cerimedo remains deprived of liberty. The ruling maintains preventive detention for 180 days in the attempted femicide case and opens the possibility of a transfer to Palmasola, whilst the defence prepares a new cessation request with elements that were not incorporated in the previous hearing. The investigation must determine, with new evidence, the responsibility that may correspond to the accused in the attack against Beller.
Source: El Deber