Mafia at IPS: Former president Vicente Battaglia reportedly in Brazil

Former president of the Institute of Social Security (IPS), Vicente Battaglia, remains at large and has not appeared before the court. Battaglia is one of nine individuals indicted for an alleged G. 61 billion loss to the institution related to failed surgical room projects. While eight other defendants have presented themselves to the authorities and were granted provisional liberty with bail, Battaglia has not. His defense team had previously stated he would return from Italy, but there is no record of his entry into Paraguay. Sources in Brazil have now informed ABC Color that Battaglia has been in a locality in the neighboring country since August 8. Prosecutors had requested pretrial detention for Battaglia and another former IPS president, Jorge Brítez, along with seven others, on August 4. The case involves alleged breaches of trust concerning construction projects that resulted in significant financial damage to the IPS.