A significant development occurred on Wednesday when the court ordered former senator Gustavo Penadés and teacher Sebastián Mauvezín to be placed under total house arrest and fitted with electronic anklets. This decision was made after the prosecutor of sexual crimes, Alicia Ghione, requested an extension of the precautionary measure of pretrial detention for both individuals. Penadés is charged with 22 sexual crimes against minors, while Mauvezín is also under investigation. Both have been in prison since October 10, 2023.
The prosecutor had requested that the pretrial detention be extended for the remaining period of the investigation, which is until June 10, 2025, totaling 125 more days. Following the court’s decision, Ghione expressed her disagreement with the ruling at a press conference, stating that the prosecution would appeal. She emphasized that the risks associated with releasing Penadés and Mauvezín are still valid, citing the potential for hindering the investigation, escape, and risk to the victims, witnesses, and society.
Ghione highlighted that new evidence has emerged from cell phones and new witnesses have come forward since the last hearing. She also mentioned that the material element of the case has been exceeded, and the prosecution believes that the risks posed by the defendants are still significant. When asked about a letter presented by Penadés’ defense to the Supreme Court of Justice and the Prosecutor, which denounces “illegal acts of a sexual nature” found on the cell phone of Jonathan Mastropierro, Ghione stated that Mastropierro is a victim in the investigation.
Lawyers Juan Raúl Williman and Soledad Suárez, representing the victims, also expressed their disagreement with the court’s ruling. They argued that the risks to the victims continue to exist, as a plot has been allegedly carried out by the accused using the state apparatus. Suárez noted that the victims must still undergo expertise and provide statements, and therefore, they are still at risk. The lawyers believe that the progress made in the investigation does not change the circumstance of the risk the victims are facing, as the alleged plot was still unfolding while the victims were giving their statements in court.