Altercation Between Costa Rican President Rodrigo Chaves and Audiovisual Producer Recorded at San José Restaurant
Sapore Trattoria clarifies its role in the dissemination of footage from the incident involving President Chaves and producer Christian Bulgarelli.
The Italian restaurant Sapore Trattoria has distanced itself from the public release of a video that captures an altercation between the President of Costa Rica, Rodrigo Chaves, and audiovisual producer Christian Bulgarelli.
The incident, which occurred on March 21 at 12:34 PM, was recorded by the restaurant's security camera located on Avenida Segunda in downtown San José.
In a press release issued on April 7, the establishment clarified that the video was provided exclusively to the Public Ministry on March 24, following requests for judicial orders from officials of that institution.
The restaurant stated, "As an establishment, we completely disassociate ourselves from the content of the video and from its subsequent dissemination in media and social networks."
The released footage, which lasts over four minutes and lacks audio, shows Chaves entering the restaurant accompanied by lawmaker Pilar Cisneros and three bodyguards.
Upon entering, the president notices Bulgarelli dining with three others and appears to make an inaudible remark before approaching at close range.
A separate 26-second clip recorded by one of Bulgarelli's companions captures Chaves stating: "I don't know what is happening with this gentleman.
HAVE PEACE, FRIEND, HAVE PEACE, HAVE PEACE.
NO, NO, NO, LEAVE THIS GENTLEMAN ALONE, LET HIM SIT THERE, (indicating to one of his bodyguards).
If you have a problem, come tell me, I have no problems with anyone."
Bulgarelli is a key witness in a case facing President Chaves concerning allegations of misconduct involving the possible misappropriation of public funds related to a multimillion-dollar contract financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE).
The recorded videos are part of case number 25-000019-0033-PE, which involves President Chaves and Minister of Culture Jorge Rodríguez Vives, as they are accused of concussive offenses punishable by up to eight years in prison.
The incident, which occurred on March 21 at 12:34 PM, was recorded by the restaurant's security camera located on Avenida Segunda in downtown San José.
In a press release issued on April 7, the establishment clarified that the video was provided exclusively to the Public Ministry on March 24, following requests for judicial orders from officials of that institution.
The restaurant stated, "As an establishment, we completely disassociate ourselves from the content of the video and from its subsequent dissemination in media and social networks."
The released footage, which lasts over four minutes and lacks audio, shows Chaves entering the restaurant accompanied by lawmaker Pilar Cisneros and three bodyguards.
Upon entering, the president notices Bulgarelli dining with three others and appears to make an inaudible remark before approaching at close range.
A separate 26-second clip recorded by one of Bulgarelli's companions captures Chaves stating: "I don't know what is happening with this gentleman.
HAVE PEACE, FRIEND, HAVE PEACE, HAVE PEACE.
NO, NO, NO, LEAVE THIS GENTLEMAN ALONE, LET HIM SIT THERE, (indicating to one of his bodyguards).
If you have a problem, come tell me, I have no problems with anyone."
Bulgarelli is a key witness in a case facing President Chaves concerning allegations of misconduct involving the possible misappropriation of public funds related to a multimillion-dollar contract financed by the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (BCIE).
The recorded videos are part of case number 25-000019-0033-PE, which involves President Chaves and Minister of Culture Jorge Rodríguez Vives, as they are accused of concussive offenses punishable by up to eight years in prison.
