The Prosecutor's Office against Impunity (Feci) of the Public Ministry (MP) raided the offices of the Save the Children organization in Guatemala City on Thursday as part of an investigation they are carrying out into alleged abuses against minors, reported the head of that organization, Rafael. Curruchiche.
The operation was announced through the MP's official social networks. “The special prosecutor's office against impunity is carrying out a search, inspection, registration and seizure of evidence in follow-up to a transnational investigation of great significance since it covers actions that could be related to violations and abuses against Guatemalan children. “Curruchiche said through a video broadcast on the MP's official social networks.
“This procedure is developed after a complaint that was filed with the Public Ministry, and support has also been requested from the Texas prosecutor's office in the United States to follow up on the complaint,” he added. In photos released by the authorities, police and prosecutors are seen in the organization's dining area.
Save the Children is a non-governmental organization founded in 1919 in the United Kingdom with a presence in 130 countries that carries out programs on child health, nutrition, child labor exploitation, educational quality or violence, among others.
Save the Children claims not to know about the accusation
“We have been shocked and disconcerted by the unprecedented search of our offices by the Public Ministry of Guatemala. “No specific allegations were made known to us, and there is no evidence to support any allegations of misconduct,” Save the Children responded in a statement.
The organization has worked in Guatemala for almost 50 years helping children and adolescents and has “protected them from any abuse of their rights.” “We do not facilitate – and we have never done so – the transfer of children or adolescents out of Guatemala,” the document reads.
Rafael Curruchiche is considered by the United States as a “corrupt and undemocratic actor” and has been sanctioned by more than 20 countries where he is prohibited from entering, such as Canada, Switzerland and members of the European Union.
Consuelo Porras, head of the MP, other prosecutors and some judges have also been punished by several nations for their attempts to undermine democracy in the Central American country during the attempts described as a “coup d'état” to prevent current president Bernardo Arévalo from taking office. in January of this year.
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