Preliminary hearing for ex-Senave head Pastor Soria Melo postponed again

The preliminary hearing for Pastor Emilio Soria Melo, the former head of Paraguay's National Service for Plant and Seed Quality and Health (Senave), has been postponed for the second time. The hearing, initially set for June 29, is now rescheduled for August 26.

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The aforementioned diligence suffered a new suspension because Pastor Soria was assigned a public defender to be assisted in the process, in this case, public defender Mirtha Paola Florentín, who requested the postponement of the preliminary hearing because it coincided with a previously established oral and public trial.

Judge Rosarito Montanía postponed the hearing because Soria Melo was assigned a public defender, Mirtha Paola Florentín. Florentín requested the delay as the date conflicted with a previously scheduled oral trial. The prosecution, represented by agent Yeimy Adle, has accused Soria Melo of bribery, criminal association, money laundering, and extortion during his leadership at Senave.

According to the prosecution's theory, Soria Melo established a scheme to extort money from importers seeking the "Afidi" document, essential for importing tomatoes legally. While the official cost of the Afidi was a mere G. 17,715, importers allegedly paid bribes ranging from G. 5 million to G. 10 million per certificate, with some payments reaching up to G. 80 million.

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Once he took office, Pastor Soria Melo established a scheme for the issuance of the Afidi, a document issued by Senave whose cost was only G. 17,715.

The alleged extortion was facilitated by unjustified delays at Puerto Falcón. Officials would identify importers in the Single Window for Import system and then demand bribes. The Public Ministry claims that between December 2023 and April 2024, importers were forced to make these payments, accumulating a total of G. 519 million. Also accused in the case are Miguel Báez Soria, Martín Lezcano Villalba, Ramona Arce Ramírez, Víctor Leiva Cardozo, Plinio Gamarra Morel, and Eladio Figueredo, who face similar charges.

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Importers were forced to pay bribes ranging from G. 5,000,000 to G. 10 million for each certificate, with cases of payments even up to G. 80 million for each Afidi.