Judicial Orders Capture of Luis Pacheco Mandujano
The Judiciary has mandated the capture of Luis Pacheco Mandujano, a lawyer affiliated with the APRA party. This decision stems from his failure to attend an oral trial regarding allegations of aggravated defamation against Nathalie Betsy Ingaruca Ruiz, a civil servant and former director of the Academy of Judiciary (AMAG). The ruling was issued by Judge Vilma Quispe of the Fourteenth Single-Person Criminal Court in Lima, who declared Pacheco a contumacious offender during a session on April 28.
Background of the Trial
Initially scheduled for March 19, the trial could not proceed as Pacheco failed to join the virtual hearing. Records indicate that he was notified multiple times at his residence in Surco, but individuals at the location denied his presence and refused to accept the notification. Consequently, judicial notification was finally executed via edict, setting the trial date for April 28.
In the judicial edict, Pacheco was explicitly warned that failure to appear would result in him being declared a guilty offender, necessitating intervention from the Judicial Police for his capture. Upon his eventual arrival in court, he would be released.
Details of the Allegations Against Pacheco
The complaint against Pacheco was filed by Nathalie Betsy Ingaruca Ruiz. Ingaruca accused Pacheco of making defamatory remarks about her during four separate broadcasts of an online program. In these broadcasts, he questioned her professional capabilities and insinuated that her rise to power at AMAG was dubious and aided by improper support from the institution’s Board of Directors.
Pacheco’s comments included characterizations of Ingaruca’s ascension as “unseemly” and suggested that she leveraged connections for her roles, even going as far as asserting that she formerly worked in the Comptroller’s Office “without knowing how to read or write.”
Political Context and Reactions
The public accusations made by Pacheco sparked political discourse, with Congresswoman Gladys Echaiz taking note and sending a letter to AMAG’s then-president, Supreme Judge Manuel Lujan Tupez, seeking clarification regarding Pacheco’s allegations.
Despite the AMAG Board recognizing no irregularities in the competition that elected Ingaruca, they decided to pause the process to ensure future appointments are more competitive and transparent.
As of now, the Academy remains without a permanent director, with the academic director temporarily in charge until a regular appointment is made.
Conclusion
The ongoing legal proceedings against Luis Pacheco Mandujano underscore the complexities of public accountability and the potential consequences of unchecked statements made in the political arena. The Judiciary’s commitment to pursuing this case highlights the importance of addressing accusations of defamation, particularly when they involve public figures.
Picture Source: Infobae.