Apparently, the whole ordeal surrounding Professor Sebastián Mauvezín’s case has taken a dramatic turn, with his lawyer, Daiana Abracinskas, abandoning his defense due to all the threats she’s been receiving. The Association of Criminal Lawyers has since come out in support of Abracinskas, condemning the use of pressure tactics, like threats and insults, to intimidate her. In a statement, they expressed solidarity with their colleague, emphasizing that such behavior has no place in the exercise of criminal defense.
The association is calling for an end to these unacceptable methods, which are often facilitated by social media and the anonymity it provides. This whole situation started when Abracinskas announced her decision to step down from the case on social media, citing the intense pressure and harassment she’d been facing. Mauvezín, along with former senator Gustavo Penadés, is currently in pretrial detention, accused of sexual crimes.
Abracinskas’ Statement
In her letter, Abracinskas expressed her frustration with the way things are being handled, saying that people are being deemed guilty without a trial, and denied the right to defense. She notes that in their country, there’s an attempt to silence those accused of certain crimes through threats and aggression, undermining the very principle of innocence until proven guilty. The current system, she argues, allows for the manipulation of narratives, with stories being sold to the public that often stray from the actual evidence.
Abracinskas questions what would have happened if the victim in the case had lied or if the accused had been a presidential candidate – would people be so quick to condemn without due process? She believes that everyone deserves a fair defense, regardless of the accusations against them. Ultimately, she’s chosen to prioritize her peace and her family’s well-being, stepping down from the case due to the relentless attacks she’s faced.
The lawyer emphasizes her belief in Mauvezín’s innocence, which is why she took on his defense in the first place. However, she acknowledges that everything has a limit, and she won’t be part of a trial where the rule of law is disregarded. Abracinskas trusts that time and the legal process will reveal the truth, and she wishes her colleagues who will continue with the case all the best, knowing they’ll face similar challenges. It’s a sad reality that such attacks on lawyers are becoming more common, but Abracinskas hopes that by speaking out, she can bring attention to the importance of upholding the right to a fair defense.
