Rafael Linares claims failure in the Calamar Case evidences weaknesses in the prosecution of the Public Ministry

Santo Domingo. – Lawyer and communicator Rafael Linares stated during an interview granted to the newspaper Último Minuto that the decision of the Fourth Instruction Court of the National District to issue a dismissal in favor of Gonzalo Castillo, José Ramón Peralta, Donald Guerrero and others involved in the Calamar Case demonstrates the weaknesses of the accusation presented by the Public Ministry. Linares maintained that from the beginning of the process he considered that the file had a strong political component and that it was used to affect opposition leaders, especially Gonzalo Castillo, who was the presidential candidate of the Dominican Liberation Party (PLD) in the 2020 elections. In his opinion, the court's decision confirms that the Public Prosecutor's Office failed to support with sufficient evidence several of the accusations made against the defendants during the investigation. The lawyer also questioned the way the case file was constructed and criticized the use of plea bargains and testimonies which, he claimed, failed to sustain the accusations before the court.

We recommend reading:Leader of the Frente Amplio criticizes ruling in the Calamar Case and calls it the result of political agreements

Furthermore, he considered that the ruling represents a setback for the prosecuting body and pointed out that the authorities should concentrate greater efforts on addressing problems that directly affect the population, such as crime, criminality, and citizen insecurity. Regarding the statements offered by Gonzalo Castillo after the judicial decision was announced, Linares expressed that it is natural for the political leader to resume his public activity after having been favored with a dismissal. Finally, he affirmed that the judicial decision constitutes a relevant fact for the national political scenario and maintained that criminal proceedings must be supported by solid evidence to guarantee the credibility of justice and respect for due process. Rafael Linares' statements were offered during an interview with the newspaper Último Minuto, in which he analyzed the legal and political implications of the decision issued by the court in the Calamar Case.