Politics

Former prosecutor files suit over PTJ

A former public prosecutor has filed a lawsuit claiming that the government violated the country's constitution in disbanding the Policía Técnica Judicial (PTJ).

It was filed by Carlos Herrera Morán in the Supreme Court. The lawsuit states that the government violated articles 1, 2, 3, 4, 6, 10, 11, 14 and 19 of the constitution. Morán holds that the law illegally transfers power from the Ministerio Público to the executive branch. He also maintains that the change illegally transfers the authority to prosecute crimes from the Attorney Generals Office.

The law, which was passed late last year, disbands the PTJ and replaces it with two agencies, one of which will be under the direction of the Policía Nacional.

Critics say that this move harkens back to the days of the military dictatorship when the president was in charge of the police.

In his lawsuit, Morán claims that the law gives police expanded judicial powers, but does not provide for proper training. He also said it gives police the right to keep files on private citizens even if they have not been charged with any crime.