Former Paraguay President Santiago Peña faces up to 15 years in prison in Ueno Bank case
Prosecutor Verónica Valdez confirmed that Santiago Peña could receive 15 years in jail for fraud and conflict of interest in the Ueno Bank case.
Prosecution sets expectation of 15-year sentence for former President Peña
Former Paraguayan president Santiago Peña Palacios could receive a sentence of up to 15 years in prison in connection with the investigation into the closure of Ueno Bank, ellitoral.com reported. The prosecutor in the case, Verónica Valdez, detailed the sentencing expectation at a press conference held this morning by the Public Ministry.
"The maximum sentence that could be applied in accordance with the charges that are now foreseen is up to 15 years of custodial sentence for a concurrent offence, since there is more than one punishable act," Valdez declared to the press.
Peña is charged with breach of trust and conflict of interest. The case alleges that the former president held shares in Ueno Bank whilst serving as president of Paraguay. The existence of aggravating factors in the crimes under investigation led to a concurrent offence ruling, a mechanism by which the highest penalty provided for is applied, which in this case amounts to 15 years.
Former bank executives also under investigation
Prosecutor Francisco Cabrera clarified, during the same conference, that the former executives of Ueno Bank face a differentiated sentencing expectation. "We are talking about a sentencing expectation of up to 12 years in relation to these current punishable acts and the legal qualifications that were made," Cabrera stated. He added that any eventual modification of the legal qualifications would also entail a review of the applicable penal framework.
Peña and Carvallo abstained from testifying
When asked about the possibility that Peña or former Central Bank of Paraguay (BCP) president Carlos Carvallo might provide a new investigative statement, Valdez emphasised that the Public Ministry has no power to compel a defendant to speak.
"The investigative statement is a means of defence and that proceeding has already taken place. In any case, if the person wishes to provide a statement, they can request a new hearing," the prosecutor clarified.
Military vehicles at Peña family residence
Prosecutor Valdez also addressed rumours about private vehicles, allegedly driven by military personnel, that reportedly entered and left the residence of the Peña Ocampos family in Asunción. She noted that authorities have closed-circuit television footage to analyse the movements recorded.
"We have not yet determined it. It is a technical operation that we will carry out in order to gather information in this regard," Valdez concluded.
Source: Google News CL — Santiago