Suspects in US$94.0M Brazil plane bribe scandal win a court round

Santo Domingo.- A National District court onTuesday ordered the removal of electronic ankle bracelets placed on the suspectslinked to the alleged US$3.5 million bribe in the purchase of the Super Tucanoplanes.

The Appellate Court 2nd Penal Chamber partiallychanged the restrictions on Daniel Aquino Hernandez and his son Daniel Aquino Mendez,but must still make periodic appearances at the court and are barred from leavingthe country.

Dominican Air Force Col. Carlos Piccini Nunezis in custody in the case, whereas Maj. Gen. Pedro Rafael Peña Antonio is outon bond.

In connection with the case figure Mirabal provinceSenator Luis Rene Canaan, who allegedly received the money to secure Senate approvalof the US$94 million loan from Brazil’s State-owned BNDES bank to buy theplanes.