ARREST IN FRAIJANES CASE

Guatemala, June 2, 2011. This morning, the authorities arrested Siomara Mariela Ortíz Méndez, accused of fraud in the Fraijanes II case, at 2a Calle, 1-53, in the municipality of Santo Domingo Xenacoj, Sacatepéquez Department.

Officers of the National Civil Police (PNC), prosecutors of the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and investigators of the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG)—a complementary prosecutor in these criminal proceedings—were all involved in arresting Ortíz Méndez. The arrest was made after a property was searched at the aforementioned address.

On September 10, 2013, Judge Verónica Galicia of the Tenth Court of the First Criminal Instance issued an arrest warrant against Ortíz Méndez on charges of fraud, fraudulent delivery of assets and conspiracy to commit fraud.

At the search of premises, the authorities seized IT material and documents linked to the investigation into irregularities in the construction of the Fraijanes II prison.

Rodrigo Lainfiesta Rímola and María de los Ángeles de León Mauricio are also charged in this case; the pair are currently free on bail. Juan Diego Lainfiesta Cajas is fleeing from justice.

The former Minister of the Interior, Raúl Velásquez, is also linked to these investigations. Velásquez is charged with abuse of authority and noncompliance of duties; he is currently awaiting the pre-trial hearing to open oral arguments.