Carmen Magalys Medina Sánchez has once again appealed the house arrest imposed on her in December 2020 due to the connections attributed to her by the Public Ministry in the alleged Antipulpo Operation network, which she heads alongside her brother, Alexis.
The challenge to the coercive measure was scheduled to be heard this Wednesday in the Second Criminal Chamber of the National District Appeals Court, which postponed it to November 2.
Fernando Rosa, former president of the Patrimonial Fund of Reformed Companies (Fonper), who is also implicated in Antipulpo, is also requesting the lifting of his house arrest.
The panel, chaired by magistrate Isis Muñiz and composed of magistrates Delio Germán and Rafael Báez, decided to suspend the hearing in response to the Public Ministry’s request, stating they had not received notification of the submitted appeals.
Carmen Magalis Medina Sánchez is accused of using her position as vice president of Fonper to favor the alleged criminal network dismantled in Antipulpo through multiple simulated procurement processes benefiting various companies.
Among the irregularities attributed to her and Fernando Rosa is the use of Fonper’s resources for the construction of 390 homes in the San Juan province in 2018, intended for delivery to Lucía Medina, also a sister of Danilo Medina.
Both are requesting the court to allow them to continue their criminal proceedings while at liberty.
In December 2022, the Third Chamber of the National District Appeals Court ordered the removal of the electronic bracelet from Carmen Magalys, who claimed it disturbed her sleep. However, the court rejected the removal of her house arrest.
After serving 18 months in pretrial detention at Najayo Hombres prison, Fernando Rosa’s preventive detention was changed to house arrest, with the use of an electronic bracelet and an economic guarantee of 30 million pesos through an insurer in August 2022. Later, the electronic tracking device was also removed.
Attorney criticizes the Public Ministry
Gabriel Brugal, Fernando Rosa’s lawyer, stated that the Public Ministry was notified in a timely manner about the appeal, and they had even acknowledged receiving it. However, they appeared at the hearing today claiming they did not receive it.
Brugal criticized the prosecutor’s attitude, stating it showed a lack of interest in responding to the defendants’ defense actions before the court. He emphasized that it demonstrated the Public Ministry’s lack of interest, as they confirmed receiving the hearing notice on the 12th, but six days later they claimed not to have the appeal request for the coercive measure imposed on these citizens.