Former Interior Minister David Napoléon Barrientos questioned this Tuesday, January 16, the Ministry of Public Affairs (MP) seeking his arrest on charges of dereliction of duty and insubordination, referring to his actions during protests and blockades. Last October. It considers that the orders by the Constitutional Court (CC) have been complied with.
According to Barrientos, who held his first statement hearing this Tuesday, after he stepped down as head of the Interior portfolio, he was called to testify at the MP, where he went to cooperate with his lawyer in the process; however, The prosecutor's office executed a warrant for his arrest, which he says was unnecessary.
Barrientos affirms that he is not guilty of any of the crimes charged because, in his opinion, The provisions of the CC Resolution were complied with.
“I'm going to testify because we've reviewed the case and there's really no case. As the Ministry of Home Affairs we are complying with all the directives of the Constitutional Court And there was no need for an arrest warrant because I helped the public ministry to give my statements,” Barrientos said.
He also said, “We are surprised at the way the Ministry of Public Affairs is changing so suddenly.” This is the twist of the case.”
“We have carefully reviewed all actions and found no dereliction of duty and no disobedience. The Ministry of Home Affairs is responsible for formulating security, peace and public order policies. The guidelines issued by the Constitutional Court have been changed to the relevant addresses, mainly under the direction of the National Civil Police,” the former official said.
He added, “There are many actors involved in the CC judgment, not just the Ministry of Home Affairs, and strangely, then, “Only the Home Ministry is experiencing this situation.”
catch
The PNC captured Barrientos on January 11 Dozens of road blockades demanding the resignation of Attorney General Consuelo Boras.
“Mr. Coordinated the arrest of David Napoleon Barrientos Giron For the possible commission of crimes such as breach of duty and disobedience,” the prosecutor's office said in a statement that day.
The former defense chief was arrested at his residence in the capital A police patrol was escorted to the courthouse.
Barrientos resigned on October 16 after the prosecutor's office asked the Constitutional Court (CC), the country's highest judicial institution. His dismissal was for refusing to forcibly evict protesters.
The note states that Barrientos “avoided the acts inherent in his activity of complying with and enforcing the rule of law relating to the maintenance of peace and public order” (…), By not carrying out what is ordered in the Resolution” of CC.
In early October, thousands of people blocked several roads in various parts of Guatemala, including the capital, demanding the departure of the prosecutor, who was accused of taking legal action. To prevent the inauguration of President Bernardo Arevalo.
