Metrobús case: Court upholds proceedings against Arnoldo Wiens

Paraguay's Chamber of Appeals has confirmed the opening of proceedings against former Public Works Minister Arnoldo Wiens Durksen. Wiens faces charges of abuse of trust in connection with the "metrobús" case. This appellate decision clears the way for the relevant court to schedule a hearing to impose measures against the presidential pre-candidate for the Colorado Party's dissident faction.

The specialized Economic Crimes, Organized Crime, and Anti-Corruption Court of Appeals, comprising judges Waldir Servín, Camilo Torres, and Paublino Escobar, rejected an appeal filed by Wiens's legal representatives. They upheld a June 4 ruling by Judge Humberto Otazú, which admitted the charges and initiated the criminal process against Wiens.

Wiens's defense team had argued that Judge Otazú's decision fundamentally altered the prosecution's case by excluding the charge of "damage to constructed works or technical work tools" while retaining only the abuse of trust charge. However, the appellate judges concluded that the indictment met the necessary requirements for admission and that the decision to open the case complied with procedural law.

With the appellate court's ruling, Judge Humberto Otazú can now set a date for a hearing to determine restrictive measures for Arnoldo Wiens. The Public Prosecutor's Office has requested alternative measures to pretrial detention.