Police in Costa Rica on Wednesday arrested a judge for allegedly plotting the murder of a fellow judge with whom he had a work-related conflict, and who was unharmed in a shooting attack.
Francisco Segura, chief of the Judicial Investigation Police, told reporters at a press conference on Wednesday that the alleged mastermind behind the attempted hit was detained for targeting judge Jorge Paisano SaborÃo, chief at the Judicial courts in PococÃ, in the Caribbean province of Limón.
Paisano managed to escape unharmed on Dec. 14 when gunmen opened fire on him as he was driving to his office.
Prosecutor Juan Pablo González said Paisano had asked for the suspect to be fired for failure to perform his job properly and for constantly arriving late to work.
Three other men, aged 19, 20 and 24, were detained as alleged hit men. Important evidence including several documents and some 20 weapons were seized in the investigation, authorities said.
Two other persons also were taken into custody as alleged witnesses for the prosecution.
González said they will charge defendants with attempted homicide, which in Costa Rica carries a sentence of up to 35 years in prison.
