Juan Francisco Sandoval defends himself from Porras 10:14
(CNN Spanish) -
The Attorney General of Guatemala, María Consuelo Porras, accused on Thursday the former special prosecutor against impunity Juan Francisco Sandoval of generating a "campaign of revenge, disinformation and discredit" in the media against the Public Ministry , while saying that the institution is already conducting several investigations after he revealed "confidential information."
"The acts of disclosure of information through said media, in addition to being unethical, may constitute a crime," Porras explained in a video posted on social networks.
The prosecutor assured in the video that, for example, Sandoval never informed her that he was collecting elements to investigate a delivery of money that would link President Alejandro Giammattei with Russian citizens in a plot of alleged corruption, as Sandoval told the media. after his dismissal from the Public Ministry at the end of July.
Indigenous leaders of Guatemala give the president and attorney general five days to resign
On July 28, Giammattei addressed the issue at a press conference in Guatemala City and said: "In recent days there have been fallacious comments bordering on slander and defamation about the alleged visit I received from Russian citizens who were carriers. of suitcases of money ".
He added that the information was "totally far from the truth."
Porras also indicated in the video that the Public Ministry has opened investigations for "disclosure of confidential information" that the former prosecutor would have carried out, after receiving complaints from "various citizens" after his departure from the Institution.
Among the allegedly investigated irregularities, according to Porras, stand out "manipulation of the investigation and files," carrying out proceedings "on dates other than the date on which they actually occurred" and the assumption of "judge functions by a prosecutor." .
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The Guatemalan attorney general dismissed Sandoval, who worked at the Special Prosecutor against Impunity (FECI), from his post at the end of July.
Former prosecutor Sandoval presents an appeal against the Public Ministry of Guatemala for possible illegality in his dismissal
As reported by the Public Ministry at the time, Porras' decision is due to alleged "humiliations" by the former official against the attorney general herself.
Sandoval, who left the country after his dismissal and is in the United States, said before leaving Guatemala that he feared for his safety and that of all FECI personnel and held Porras responsible for what could happen to him and his family .
Sandoval pointed out to the attorney general that he had obstructed several cases that could involve senior officials of the current government, congress and courts of justice in Guatemala.
Porras has not commented on Sandoval's accusations and repeated requests for comments sent by CNN to the Public Ministry have not been answered.
Supreme Court of Guatemala orders Attorney General Porras to explain the dismissal of Juan Francisco Sandoval
Following the prosecutor's statements, this Thursday Sandoval said in a statement that Porras "is at the forefront of a strategy to criminalize and prosecute all the people who have contributed, for years, to the strengthening of justice and the fight against corruption and impunity".
Sandoval adds: "Porras intervened the work of the Special Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (FECI) when it received indications of the possible involvement of President Alejandro Giammattei in corruption structures."
President Giammattei had not reacted publicly on Thursday to Sandoval's statement and a request for information sent to the Presidency by CNN has not been answered so far.
Porras has 48 hours to explain Sandoval's dismissal 1:54
Guatemala