Dominican Republic courts issue rulings in fatal accident and corruption cases

Several legal developments have occurred in the Dominican Republic involving criminal and corruption cases.

In the Distrito Nacional, Manuel Joaquín Payán Morales has been ordered to undergo two months of preventive detention at the Najayo Hombres Rehabilitation Center. He is accused of causing a fatal traffic accident in the Los Ríos sector on August 5, while driving a Chevrolet Colorado under the influence of alcohol. The incident resulted in the deaths of three people, including a minor and a Haitian national. Evidence presented by the Public Ministry includes breathalyzer results showing 0.91 milligrams of alcohol per liter of air.

In a separate matter, the First Collegiate Court of the Distrito Nacional ended the house arrest of Army Major Raúl Alejandro Girón Jiménez, a key witness in the Coral corruption case. His detention was replaced by a travel ban and a requirement to report to authorities monthly. Girón Jiménez has provided testimony since 2021 regarding military corruption and the mismanagement of state funds.

Additionally, a judge confirmed house arrest for Bolívar Nicolás Fernández Espinal, a former security official for Edenorte Dominicana, as part of the 'Operación Lobo' investigation. This case involves a bribery network that allegedly distributed over 108 million pesos to secure private security contracts within public institutions.