Court dismisses criminal investigation of presidential candidate Rodrigo Arias

A criminal court in San José on Thursday dismissed a case against presidential candidate and former Presidency Minister Rodrigo Arias for suspicion of illegal management of public funds.

The court’s decision brings to an end the investigation carried out by the Prosecutor’s Office against the politician, as a judge determined there is “insufficient evidence to proceed in the case against Arias.”

The investigation focused on three donations totaling $2 million made ​​by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration between 2007-2008, which were used to pay consultant services during the government of Arias’ brother, former President Oscar Arias. Rodrigo Arias served as presidency minister in his brother’s administration, which gave him the authority to earmark the aid bank’s funds.

The court also ordered Otto Guevara, former lawmaker and ex-presidential candidate from the Libertarian Movement Party, to pay court costs, saying that “the complaint the way Guevara described it alleged crimes without attributing any crime accurately and without providing valid evidence.”

In a press release, Rodrigo Arias said he was satisfied, and that he had “hoped with serenity and patience for this issue to come to an end.”

TicoTimes.net Poll