Santo Domingo.- The trial against former judges Awilda Reyes Beltré and Francisco Arias Valera, alleged leaders of a “rulings for sale” ring within the Judiciary and linked to organized crime, is in limbo.
Almost four years after the indictments, the case is still in the investigation phase, while the defendants remain under house arrest, “in frank violation of the Criminal Procedure Code, the Constitution and international covenants,” according to Arias.
The case is stalled in the National District 3rd Instruction Court where the last hearing was suspended until the Supreme Court hears a challenge against a ruling by lower court judge Raquel Astacio.