The substitute judge Óscar Leonel Ajsac, of the Seventh Court of Criminal Sentencing, resolved this Tuesday, June 9, during a hearing, to grant coercive measures in favor of Jorge Santos, former director of IT of the Supreme Electoral Tribunal (TSE), indicated in the Semilla Corruption case.
It is the third time that the former official has benefited from this type of resolution, which has allowed him to leave prison.
The first time was by resolution of the seventh criminal judge Fredy Orellana; However, an Appeals chamber revoked it and ordered his imprisonment.
Subsequently, on September 9, 2025, the substitute judge of the Seventh Criminal Court, María del Carmen Zamora, also granted house arrest to Jorge Santos.
Given that decision, the Special Prosecutor’s Office against Impunity of the Public Ministry filed an appeal when the case was in charge of prosecutor Leonor Eugenia Morales.
The Second Court of Appeals declared the appeal admissible and again ordered the return of the accused to prison. The resolution was carried out on May 22, so Santos remained in prison.
On this occasion, Judge Óscar Leonel Ajsac once again granted house arrest to Santos, who must appear at the Mixco court for the corresponding registration and will be prohibited from leaving the country without judicial authorization.
Prosecutor Mario Veliz, who is now in charge of the Semilla Corruption case, did not oppose the arguments presented by Santos’ defense and left the corresponding resolution to the judge’s discretion.
Meanwhile, the plaintiffs considered that the procedural danger of escape had not disappeared and asked that he continue in prison.
Santos will face trial for abuse of authority for electoral purposes and breach of duties. The debate will begin on December 8.
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