Hearing of “Beto” Melgarejo suspended

Judge Miguel Palacios suspended the preliminary hearing in the case where the former head of Dinac, Édgar “Beto” Melgarejo Ginard, is being prosecuted. The defense attorney for Fernando Gallardo, one of the other six defendants, filed an action of unconstitutionality that was accepted by the chamberlains.

In yesterday’s preliminary hearing, the imposition of measures had to be established. The Public Ministry had requested that the case be elevated to an oral and public trial.

In addition to Melgarejo Ginard, the other defendants are; Marcelo Ovelar, former coordinator of the Procurement Operations Unit (UOC), Fernando Gallardo de Brix, former director of the Silvio Pettirossi International Airport, María Luz Chamorro, former administrative manager, Juan Carlos Turitich Báez, former financial director, and representatives of the supplier firm “Proyectos Global SA”; Katherine Pamela Toñánez Vera and Carlos Alberto Vargas Franco.

Antonio Fretes, César Diesel and Víctor Ríos, are the members of the constitutional chamber that gave rise to the action of unconstitutionality raised by the defense. Now, they must analyze and resolve it before continuing with the hearing.

CONTEXT
The Melgarejo case was the first major corruption scandal during the pandemic. “Beto” and six other people were accused of alleged breach of trust.

The politician was forced to resign on April 16, 2020. This, after the irregular purchase of masks. According to unofficial information, Abdo Benítez himself, the national president, asked him to resign from office, after public pressure that demanded his dismissal.

Specifically, Melgarejo, through the Contracting Operational Unit (UOC), acquired 4,000 units of masks worth G. 29,990 each. Giving as total value the sum of G. 120 million. The masks were of the PFF2 S type, which, in the market, had at that time, the value of G. 15,000 each. It therefore represents an overinvoicing of 50%.

PROSECUTOR’S OFFICE
According to the indictment of the prosecutors in the case; Sussy Riquelme and Juan Ledesma, at Dinac a criminal scheme was set up in order to divert public funds. It is not only about the diversion of funds, but also a patrimonial damage to the public entity.

The case advances, despite the fact that the company “Proyectos Global SA” has paid G. 60 million for the patrimonial damage generated to the aeronautical institution. The sum was deposited into a court account. The reason why its managers are still prosecuted is because the Public Ministry did not give its consent. In other words, for the prosecutors, the payment of said sum does not yet cover all the damage caused by the event in question.

NOTHING CHANGED
Despite Melgarejo’s departure, the situation in the institution would remain the same. On April 20, 2020, Félix Kanasawa took office, but Melgarejo’s trusted people remain in their positions.

These are the people who continue to occupy decision-making positions and who were loyal to Melgarejo; according to our own sources, Douglas Cubilla, director of airports, Zulma Román, deputy director of the national institute Adrian Jara (Inac), José Luis Larengueira, deputy director of administration and finance, Alberto Isasi, cargo manager of the Silvio Pettirossi, Adriano Ramírez, general secretary from Dinac and Fermín Campuzano, airport administrator.