Arnaldo Giuzzio, former Minister of the Interior, appeared before the Public Ministry for his preliminary statement regarding the complaints he made against Horacio Cartes, former President of the Republic, for alleged cigarette trafficking, connections with criminal groups and money laundering.
At a press conference, he stated that he will contribute two more elements to the investigation, one related to Sarah Cartes, sister of the former president. While the other element is related to Claudecir de Silveira, a businessman close to Cartes who was affected by the “A Ultranza Py” operation.
“We bring the information closer. I am the postman. We do not present to the Prosecutor’s Office because we understand that Seprelad at the international level is the one that will obtain the data. At some point it will arrive at the Prosecutor’s Office so that it can carry out the investigations, ”he said.
Giuzzio appeared as a witness before the Public Ministry. During his stay, he challenged the prosecutors Osmar Legal and Liliana Alcaraz for what he did not testify before said representatives of the Prosecutor’s Office.
“Some 91 people related to organized crime were expelled from the country. But the head of organized crime and money laundering is here ha pea ho’ata (and he is going to fall)”, he affirmed in reference to Cartes.
KÖHN GALLARDO
Juan Köhn Gallardo, a criminal lawyer, affirmed that the challenge made by former Minister Giuzzio against the two prosecutors in the case is appropriate.
“In my legal opinion, the challenges correspond. Former President Cartes, being a senator for life, has privileges, so he must be disbarred and then charged”, he stated.
He pointed out that he sees it very difficult for the complaints to prosper since Cartes manages the Public Ministry.
“Giuzzio already has a complaint for money laundering. His situation is not easy. The former minister’s complaint is very well documented to open an investigation,” he commented.
CONTEXT
Arnaldo Giuzzio, Minister of the Interior, appeared before the Permanent Commission of the National Congress on February 3. On the occasion, he accused Horacio Cartes, former president of the Republic, of trafficking cigarettes.
During his oratory, he questioned that Tabesa, the former president’s tobacco company, declared that between 2013 and 2018, it made sales of US$ 1.1 billion, only locally. While exports were for US$ 43 million.
This was the second citation for Arnaldo Giuzzio. The first was last week. However, the former minister argued that he had to take some steps after being dismissed as Secretary of the Interior.
Abdo Benítez, the national president, dismissed him last Tuesday, February 22, after a journalistic investigation revealed a link between Giuzzio and the alleged narco Marcus Vinicius Espíndola Marques de Padua, arrested in Brazil, after the “Turf” operation.
