Legal developments in Paraguay and Spain involving former officials

In Paraguay, the defense for former senator Hernán Rivas has appealed his eight-year prison sentence. Rivas was convicted of the aggravated production and use of false public documents after it was determined he used a fraudulent law degree to secure a position on the Jury for the Impeachment of Magistrates (JEM) in 2020.

Defense attorney Alba Zaracho is requesting an acquittal based on the argument that the statute of limitations expired on June 3, 2023, prior to the formal complaint and subsequent indictment. Alternatively, the defense has requested the nullification of the sentence and a new oral trial, questioning the legal grounds used to determine the penalty.

In Spain, the Supreme Court has upheld an 18-year prison sentence for Rodolfo Ramos, the former dean of the Official College of Psychology of Melilla. Ramos was convicted of two counts of sexual assault against a minor, involving incidents in 2017 and 2020.

The court rejected Ramos's final attempts to annul the decision, including a cassation appeal and a motion for nullity. The ruling noted that the perpetrator exploited his position of influence over the victim, who viewed him as a father figure. The sentence follows a previous reduction from a 24-year term to 18 years by the High Court of Justice of Andalusia.