Mauricio Batalla Faces Legal Challenges Amid Allegations of Sexual Abuse
Former Costa Rican Minister's Immunity Not Recognized in Preliminary Hearing for Sexual Abuse Charges
The Costa Rican Public Prosecutor's Office has confirmed that there was no acknowledgment of the immunity status of former Minister Mauricio Batalla Otárola during a preliminary hearing in November 2024. Batalla was accused of three alleged sexual abuse offenses against a former employee of his family's restaurant business.
In the hearing, which took place before the Penal Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in San José, the alleged victim requested to dismiss the case, citing a prior financial settlement with Batalla amounting to ¢3 million (approximately $4,500 USD).
The Public Prosecutor's Office has informed that neither the Gender Prosecutor's Office nor Batalla's defense raised the issue of his immunity during the preliminary proceedings.
This immunity, which applied to Batalla in his capacity as Minister, would have necessitated that the case be managed by the Attorney General and reviewed by the magistrates of the III Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
In instances involving members of the supreme powers, this Court Chamber must examine the documents to determine if it will request Congress to lift the parliamentary immunity so that the individual can stand trial.
Batalla assumed the position of Minister of Public Works and Transport in March 2024, having already been formally charged.
The Prosecutor's Office sought the opening of a trial on July 7, 2023. The prosecution stated that while Batalla did not possess immunity during the investigation and formal charges, he held immunity at the time of the preliminary hearing.
The final ruling of non-prosecution has been confirmed, with the alleged incidents occurring in 2019. This week, Batalla announced his resignation from politics, citing the leak of details related to a private legal matter, claiming the incident could damage his political party’s image.
In an additional development, the Gender Prosecutor's Office announced the opening of a new criminal case against Mauricio Batalla Otárola for the alleged sexual abuse of two women.
These individuals were also employees at Batalla's family restaurant and had previously testified in the earlier case involving him.
The new case is officially recorded under the number 25-000239-0994.
In the hearing, which took place before the Penal Court of the Second Judicial Circuit in San José, the alleged victim requested to dismiss the case, citing a prior financial settlement with Batalla amounting to ¢3 million (approximately $4,500 USD).
The Public Prosecutor's Office has informed that neither the Gender Prosecutor's Office nor Batalla's defense raised the issue of his immunity during the preliminary proceedings.
This immunity, which applied to Batalla in his capacity as Minister, would have necessitated that the case be managed by the Attorney General and reviewed by the magistrates of the III Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice.
In instances involving members of the supreme powers, this Court Chamber must examine the documents to determine if it will request Congress to lift the parliamentary immunity so that the individual can stand trial.
Batalla assumed the position of Minister of Public Works and Transport in March 2024, having already been formally charged.
The Prosecutor's Office sought the opening of a trial on July 7, 2023. The prosecution stated that while Batalla did not possess immunity during the investigation and formal charges, he held immunity at the time of the preliminary hearing.
The final ruling of non-prosecution has been confirmed, with the alleged incidents occurring in 2019. This week, Batalla announced his resignation from politics, citing the leak of details related to a private legal matter, claiming the incident could damage his political party’s image.
In an additional development, the Gender Prosecutor's Office announced the opening of a new criminal case against Mauricio Batalla Otárola for the alleged sexual abuse of two women.
These individuals were also employees at Batalla's family restaurant and had previously testified in the earlier case involving him.
The new case is officially recorded under the number 25-000239-0994.
