# Dominican Republic SeNaSa corruption case – detention upheld > Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-senasa-corruption-investigation > Updated: 2026-08-04T22:37:38.000Z. Sources: 30. Developments: 2. In late July 2026 the Dominican Republic’s Specialized Prosecutor’s Office for Administrative Corruption (Pepca) filed formal charges against former SeNaSa director Santiago Hazim and other officials in the “Operation Cobra” probe, which alleges the misappropriation of more than RD$15 billion from the National Health Insurance. The Seventh Court of Instruction in Santo Domingo, led by Judge Deiby Timoteo Peguero, has repeatedly confirmed the preventive detention of Hazim and five co‑accused—Gustavo Enrique Messina Cruz, Germán Rafael Robles Quiñones, Francisco Iván Minaya Pérez, Rafael Luis Martínez Hazim and Ramón Alan Speakler Mateo. The court rejected the defense’s request for house arrest on grounds of Hazim’s multiple sclerosis and latent tuberculosis, stating that medical care can be provided within the prison system. Hazim also withdrew his own request for house arrest, opting to remain at the Centro de Corrección y Rehabilitación Las Parras. The preventive order remains in force, with the next mandatory review scheduled for 5 November 2026, indicating the continuation of the judicial process against the alleged corruption network. ## Timeline ### 2026-08-04: Dominican court upholds preventive detention for ex‑Senasa chief Santiago Hazim Dominican judges have upheld preventive detention for ex‑Senasa chief Santiago Hazim and five co‑accused, rejecting house‑arrest pleas and citing ongoing corruption charges involving over 15 billion pesos. 27 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/santiago-hazim-remains-in-preventive-detention-as-court-reviews-coercive-measures ### 2026-07-29: Dominican Republic's Pepca to file formal charges in SeNaSa corruption case Pepca must file formal charges by July 30 against ex‑SeNaSa director Santiago Hazim and others in the Caso Cobra corruption probe, denying any current agreement with the Public Ministry. 6 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/dominican-republics-pepca-to-file-formal-charges-in-senasa-corruption-case --- Cite as: Dominican Republic SeNaSa corruption case – detention upheld. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/dominican-republic-senasa-corruption-investigation