Dominican Republic judges ‘sold rulings’ get house arrest

Santo Domingo.- A National District court Wednesday night ruledhouse arrest for two of the judges indicted in the “rulings for sale” scandal,including the decision to release Pedro Brand councilman Erickson de los Santos,who faces charges in connection with a ring of hired killers.

Suspended judge Awilda Reyes and resigning magistrateFrancisco Arias, who were being held without bond, will be monitored by prosecutors.

Special Instruction Appellate Court judge Antonio Sánchezhanded down the ruling, citing defense documents that the defendants don’t posea flight risk.

The judge ruled that the prosecution failed to prove thedefendants’ connection with the alleged criminal network, as stated in the indictment.

The court set another hearing for Feb. 12, where the prosecutionis expected to appeal the ruling.