Mario Barrenechea, former General Manager of state bank Banco de Costa Rica (BCR) and one of the main defendants in the Cementazo Corruption Case, received the benefit of house arrest with the use of an ankle monitor, this Saturday, in a decision made by Treasury’s Criminal Court.

Barrenechea had been granted house arrest back on May 30th of this year, however, 21 days later, he was ordered to return to prison at the Senior Citizens Comprehensive Care Center (CAI) after an appeal by the prosecution alleging procedural risks. Barrenechea has been in preventive imprisonment since November 6, 2017 accused of embezzlement regarding a credit granted for $30 million to the company of Juan Carlos Bolaños.

Barrenechea also had to turn in his passport and is forbidden to have any communication with former BCR employees and/or witnesses.
When it comes to Juan Carlos Bolaños, the court extended (through November 4, 2018) the preventive detention measure (For another three months) which he has been serving in the San Sebastian jail since November 3, 2017.

Bolaños is facing charges of embezzlement, influence peddling, criminal simulation and false accusation.

Fernando Vargas, Bolaños’ attorney, will present another appeal to the court being that he doesn’t consider it fair that all other parties involved in the case have already been released from preventive imprisonment or given other cautionary measures while his client is receiving different treatment.