Costa Rican Public Security Minister Gustavo Mata said Friday that institutions such as the Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Investigative Police (OIJ) must collaborate more to combat crime, and that citizens have a key role in reporting criminal activity in their communities.
Two Costa Rican lawmakers want to fine small-time thieves instead of jailing them as a way to reduce pressure on the country's overcrowded prisons. Their draft bill calls for eliminating prison penalties for theft under ₡200,000.
Amid rumors swarming around Casa Presidencial this week of a major shakeup in President Luis Guillermo Solís’ Cabinet, word came Tuesday that Public Security Minister Celso Gamboa would step down effective Tuesday, Feb. 10.
The investigation into alleged spying by law enforcement officials on Real Madrid goalie and Costa Rican World Cup darling Keylor Navas is heading all the way to the top of the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ). On Monday morning, the Prosecutor’s Office announced it is expanding the number of prosecutors and police under investigation to include OIJ Director Francisco Segura. Segura’s name brings the total number of law enforcement officers under investigation to 29, along with 24 OIJ officials and four prosecutors.
On Friday afternoon, the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court ruled that the Prosecutor’s Office and the Judicial Investigation Police (OIJ) broke the law when they traced a journalist’s phone calls. The decision served as a strong rebuke to law enforcement and reinforced Costa Rica’s long history of respect for press freedom.
