Costa Rica charges former president Solis with corruption

San Jose, Costa Rica
Reuters

Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito.

The transfer was made to give the impression that the bank “would appear to have sufficient liquidity” to the benefit of the government’s image, the Attorney General said in a statement.

Costa Rica’s then-President Luis Guillermo Solis delivers his last state of the nation address at the Congress in San Jose, Costa Rica, on 2nd May, 2018. PICTURE: Reuters/Juan Carlos Ulate/File photo

Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges. 

“I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me,” the former centre-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter.

“We always acted in accordance with the law, seeking the benefit of the country, as well as the protection of Bancredito’s creditors and the rights of its workers.”

If found guilty, Solis could face up to eight years in prison, the Attorney General’s office said. 

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Charges over the matter were also brought against Helios Fallas, the former finance minister and Sergio Alfaro, the former minister of the presidency, as well as two senior finance ministry officials.

Alfaro denied the charges. “I know I did not commit any crime,” he said in a text message to Reuters.

Fallas declined to comment directly on the charges.

“This is a case that has already been prosecuted,” he wrote in a text message, saying he would not comment further.