Joan Carles Guzmán Berdugo was captured in the neighboring nation in early April 2019 while traveling to Panama.
Attorney General Raúl Melara confirmed this afternoon that Costa Rica authorized the extradition of Juan Carlos Guzmán Berdugo, father-in-law of former fugitive President Mauricio Funes, accused of money laundering in the corruption case known as Public Looting.
“For us as the Public Prosecutor’s Office, this is a message that is being given, it is a triumph and it shows what was said at the time, that we were going to take it to the country because of the money laundering charges for which it is being processed, “Melara said.
The prosecution accuses him of laundering $ 351,530 along with wife Ada Llum de Guzmán, funds stolen from the Presidency of the Republic.
Guzmán Berdugo, father of Ada Mitchell Guzmán Sigüenza, the life partner of the former ruler, a fugitive from Salvadoran justice, was captured in Costa Rica in early April 2019 while traveling to Panama.
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Salvadoran tax and judicial authorities began the extradition process from the time of his capture, but he was accepted by Costa Rica in November 2019.
Nevertheless, the delay so that the extradition of Guzmán was guaranteed was by the legal resources that their defenders interposed in the Costa Rican courts to prevent their repatriation to country.
“Mr. Guzmán had the right to make use of legal remedies, this was processed in the courts of Costa Rica, but today it is reported that the extradition has been authorized,” Melara said.
He added that if Guzmán Berdugo’s defense does not file another appeal to delay his extradition, then he could be sent here in a month.
“We would expect him to be here in the country within a reasonable time … We are confident that the facts are already fully proven and that he should be extradited to the country,” the attorney general said.
Photo capture from Twitter / @nayibbukele
The Attorney General’s Office also reacted to the case and through its Twitter account shared part of the extradition sentence issued by the Criminal Court of the First Judicial Circuit of San José, Costa Rica.
“As a result of a process initiated by the FGR’s criminal action, today (Wednesday) Costa Rica decides to grant the extradition of the father-in-law of former President Mauricio Funes. After being accused by the FGR, Mr. Guzmán fled to Costa Rica where he wanted to evade justice, “the prosecution said.
Photo capture from Twitter / @FGR_SV
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In El Salvador, the arrest warrant against him was issued in June 2017. According to the tax requirement, the Guzmán Sigüenza couple used public money to buy vehicles, pay loans and travel abroad, including others.
In June 2017, the 5th Justice of the Peace of San Salvador decreed Instruction with Detention for Mauricio Funes, his life partner, Ada Mitchell Guzmán, and 13 other defendants linked to the Public Looting case where $ 351 million the coffers of the state.
However, it was not until April 2019 that the suspect was arrested by Interpol in Costa Rica when he intended to travel to Panama, and after the endorsement of that nation for his extradition will be handed over. to country because before its judicial process.
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