Prosecutors appeal dismissal of human trafficking case in Argentina

Prosecutors in Argentina are appealing a federal ruling that dismissed a human trafficking case against a former municipal official and three others, including the mother of the victim. Federal Guarantee Judge Gustavo Fresneda dismissed the charges due to the statute of limitations regarding the sexual exploitation of a minor that allegedly occurred between 2013 and 2014.

Three prosecutors—Mirian Benítez, Tamara Ahimará Pourcel, and Gabriel Romero Olivello—contested the decision, arguing that the judge erroneously calculated the prescription period. The prosecution maintains that the ruling fails to account for international treaties signed by Argentina regarding due diligence, access to justice, and effective judicial protection for women victims of gender violence. They further argued that the judge's decision to set the start of the prescription period rigidly in 2013 was arbitrary and lacked proper legal foundation.