Former Mayor of San Salvador, Violetta Menjevar (2006-2009) and former ministers Carlos Caceres, Erlinda Hindal, Hugo Flores and Calixto Mejia He was arrested on Thursday by the National Civil Police (PNC), He was also denounced on Twitter by former Farabundo Martí National Liberation Front (FMLN) MP Nydia Diaz.

“A few minutes ago, our dear doctor, Violeta Menjevar, was arrested by the #PNC, without any explanation. In the same way to comrade Erlinda Handal,” Left formation leader wrote.

Diaz demanded that due process be followed. and respect for the human rights of both former officials.

The former deputy did not go into details about the arrest or the police delegation to which Menjevar and Handal were taken. The police did not provide information in this regard.

Nor did the FGR provide any information despite the journalists’ request.

Menjivar also served as Deputy Minister of Public Health and Social Assistance in the government of Mauricio Funes (2009-2014) and Minister of the said portfolio in the administration of Salvador Sánchez Ceren (2014-2019).

She was also a deputy in the legislature between 2000 and 2005.

Handal was also part of Sanchez Serene’s management team.

During Menjivar’s arrest, other members of the FMLN lodged a public complaint about the lack of information about these actions.

The security forces confirmed this evening that they will hold a press conference in which they will provide more details.

“The police arrested me and took me across the stadium along the Olympic road, they were waiting for me practically near the house, and I don’t know what they were going to take me to,” Menjevar denounced the afternoon.

“Later we wanted to get in touch with her on the phone, but she wouldn’t answer us anymore”said former MP Santiago Flores. who insisted that they did not know the reason for arresting Menjevar.

Menjivar’s lawyer, Jose Gonzalez Castro, said so The former official works for the Sub-Directorate for Investigations of the Palestinian National Council in San Salvador.

He also denounced not allowing him to enter or knowing the crimes of which his client is accused of committing.

“They wouldn’t let me in, I saw her through the bars.”She added that it was filmed without the presence of a lawyer. “Obviously a violation of due process.”Gonzalez told the media.

“Every defender’s job is to be with the client, but they wouldn’t let me in, so I don’t know what accusations they are making”repeat.

As stated by the Tax Prosecutor, Rodolfo Delgado, The arrests came as part of the “embezzlement operation” carried out between the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the Delgado police.

According to the public prosecutor, the former officials were brought to the press Thursday night for being linked to money laundering crimes.

They added that several raids were carried out to carry out the arrests, and they also said that an arrest warrant was also issued against other former officials in the same administration, such as Gerson Martinez, the former Minister of Public Works, Lena Paul. , former Minister of the Environment, and Salvador Sánchez Serene, former Vice President and Head of State.

According to Delgado, the arrests come in response to the investigations that began in 2019 in the case of former President Mauricio Funes (2009-2014), who was linked to illicit enrichment by extracting up to $350 million from public funds, which are currently underway. He is a fugitive and asylum seeker under Daniel Ortega’s regime.

According to Delgado, Violetta Menjivar had received US$177,000; Carlos Caceres $210,000; Calixto Mejía 208 thousand US dollars; Lena Paul 177 thousand US dollars; Jose Guillermo Lopez Suarez, $565,000; Hugo Flores 174 thousand US dollars; Erlinda Hándal 162 thousand US dollars; Gerson Martinez $290,000 USD and; Salvador Sanchez Serene 530 thousand US dollars; It’s all in the concept of bonuses, according to the fiscal tax.

The Farabundo Marti Liberation Front ruled the Central American country between 2009 and 2019 for two consecutive presidential terms and is currently in opposition to Najib Bukele’s government.

(With information from EFE)

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