Veteran politico to face criminal trial, but skeptics doubt

Santo Domingo.- The National District 3rd Courtof Appeals on Monday overturned a lowercourt ruling and ordered a criminal trial against former National Assets directorElías Wessin Chávez and two of his colleagues, for the alleged embezzling morethan RD$150 million.

The court admitted the evidence submitted by the NationalDistrict Office of the Prosecutor, with charges of embezzlement and conspiracy againstWessin and codefendants Elvis Leonor Arias Morban and José Jacobo de LeónGarrido.

The Court ruled that the prosecution submitted enough evidencewhich could lead to a conviction of the accused.

But people see with skepticism the proceeding against Wessin,because of his political relationship with the ruling PLD party, as head of thepro-government minority party PQD.