Supreme Court orders new trial for former deputy Tomás Rivas

The Supreme Court of Justice has annulled the dismissal of charges against former deputy Tomás Fidelino Rivas Benítez, ordering a new oral and public trial.

The Criminal Chamber of the high court admitted an extraordinary appeal for cassation filed by prosecutor Luis Piñánez. This decision overturns previous rulings from the Court of Appeals and the Sentencing Tribunal that had terminated the criminal prosecution against the former lawmaker.

Magistrates ruled that previous instances incorrectly applied laws regarding the extinction of proceedings through damage reparation. The court noted that because the alleged acts were committed by an elected official in the exercise of his duties and to the detriment of public funds, the extinction of the case required the express consent of the Public Ministry, which was not obtained.

The prosecution alleges that Rivas used budgetary resources from the Chamber of Deputies to pay the salaries of three individuals from his personal circle. Investigations indicated these individuals did not perform services at the National Congress headquarters.