Trial of former senator Kueider in Paraguay postponed to 9 June
The case against Edgardo Kueider and his partner for attempted smuggling has been postponed again. The former senator has been under house arrest in Asunción for more than a year.
Fresh postponement in the Kueider case: trial in Paraguay to resume on 9 June
Paraguay's Specialised Tribunal for Economic Crimes postponed on Monday the start of oral proceedings against former national senator Edgardo Kueider and his partner, Iara Guinsel Costa. According to tn.com.ar, judges Elsa García, Matías Garcete Piris and Adriana Planás set 9 June as the new date for the start of the trial.
Kueider and Guinsel face charges of attempted smuggling. The incident dates back to the early morning of 4 December 2024, when both were detained whilst attempting to cross the International Bridge of Friendship—which connects Brazil with Paraguay—carrying more than 211,000 dollars, 640,000 guaraníes and approximately 4 million Argentine pesos that were undeclared and concealed in a rucksack.
Since their detention, the former senator from Entre Ríos and his ex-secretary have been under house arrest in Asunción, first in a luxury complex in the city centre, then in a duplex and finally in a flat in a high-end peripheral building.
Kueider has repeatedly asserted his innocence. "They are not mine, nor are they even my companion's. They belong to operations she was conducting in Paraguay, intermediation work. We entered and left Paraguay that night. That is declared," he said in radio statements last year.
Successive postponements
The trial has accumulated several delays. It was originally scheduled for 24 November 2024, then rescheduled for 20 April this year. On that occasion, the Prosecution requested a further postponement due to the extension of another trial being conducted in parallel. The case will finally commence next Tuesday, provided no further disruptions occur.
If convicted, the former senator could receive a prison sentence of two and a half years. Time already served under house arrest—more than one year and three months—will be counted towards the sentence.
Extradition and cases in Argentina
Whilst the case in Paraguay progresses, Kueider faces two further judicial investigations in Argentina for alleged illicit enrichment and other offences. One is being processed by the provincial justice system of Concordia, Entre Ríos, and another in the Federal Courts of San Isidro. The Supreme Court must determine which of the two courts will take the case.
The head of the Federal Court of San Isidro, Sandra Arroyo Salgado, has requested the extradition of the former legislator and brought charges against alleged members of an unlawful association that he would lead. The crimes alleged include illicit enrichment, abuse of authority, bribery, trafficking in influence and money laundering. According to the investigation, Kueider would have used corporate structures to acquire luxury goods that would not be consistent with his declared income.
At Arroyo Salgado's request, the Senate approved the removal of parliamentary immunity for the former legislator with 60 votes in favour, 6 against and one abstention.
The Paraguayan Prosecution has already given approval for extradition, but conditioned the transfer on the smuggling case in Paraguayan territory first being completed.
Source: Google News PY — Crime