Tucanogate: courts to decide if I’m guilty, ex defense chief says

Santo Domingo.- Former defense minister Maj. General PedroRafael Peña on Wednesday reiterated his innocence in the Tucanogate scandal andsaid Dominican courts would determine whether he’s guilty.

Peña responded when asked if he’ll plead guilty. "If Iam innocent if Super Tucano, that shall be defined by the courts."

He also said international threats should be averted in the case of the purchase of the eight Super Tucano planes.

Peña is being held together with Air Force Col. Carlos Picciniand businessmen Daniel Aquino Hernandez and Daniel Aquino Méndez in connectionwith Tucanogate.

"The only thing I ask is that this is wellbeing forthe country and avert international pressures," the former official saidwhile being escorted for arraignment at the National District courthouse in CiudadNueva.