Trial Day 1

The preparatory hearing began early this morning to determine the admissibility of evidence, including documents filed late by the prosecution. We have confirmed that Judge Kreeger Narvaez is presiding over the hearing. It was earlier confirmed by the Nicaraguan press that Kreeger is not a licensed attorney, never practiced law, and was not properly appointed as a judge under Nicaraguan law. Yesterday, the press released news that Kreeger was charged with aggravated fraud in late 2010. The allegations were referred to the prosecutor, but Kreeger's political affiliations won him a favor to avoid conviction. Early this morning, the Nicaraguan press ran a feature on Kreeger regarding the charges, wihch arose out of credit card fraud. Kreeger was charged with two other individuals. Prosecution, however, has not pursued the charges and one of Kreeger's accomplices has fled the country in the face of an investigation for illegal weapons. Read the full story here in Spanish or tanslated into English.

The first recess did not come until almost 3pm today. We had been waiting (impatiently) and finally received our first update. The prosecutor and inspector general made a motion to throw out almost all the defense evidence, which Judge Kreeger granted in violation of basic rules of evidence. The Judge threw out: 1) the letter from the DEA confirming the DEA was not involved in this case, 2) the video of President Ortega praising the coffee farm, 3) the defense's Real Estate expert, 4) the accountant for RE/MAX - Horizons, and 5) two fact witnesses for the defense. Judge Kreeger ruled only that the evidence was not relevant to the case.

After the recess, trial started with the prosecution’s opening argument. Once trial starts, under Nicaraguan law, it must continue and Judge Kreeger will preside. This was Judge Kreeger's first trial, and it was obvious he was not aware of basic courtroom procedure. We expect trial will continue until late this evening and are waiting for the next update.

Judge in Jason's Case Accused of Credit Card Fraud

Just released this morning is news that Judge Kreeger Narvaez, the judge who presided over the last hearing and rescheduled the trial date, was accused of aggravated fraud in late 2010.  The Nicaraguan press earlier confirmed that Kreeger was not a licensed attorney, never practiced law, and was not properly appointed as a judge under Nicaraguan law.  The press has now confirmed that Kreeger was involved in credit card fraud in 2010.  The allegations were referred to the prosecutor, but Kreeger's political affiliations won him a favor to avoid conviction.  Read the full story here (translate using Google Translate).

Jason Held Hostage in Nicaraguan Judicial System

As we prepare to begin trial tomorrow (August 9), Hugh Pickens, a Publisher and Editor for the Peace Corps, reports that Jason “is being held hostage in the Nicaraguan Judicial System.”  Pickens writes that “Many volunteers stay on after they complete their service in the Peace Corps and decide to become permanent residents and make a life for themselves in their Country of Service.  Here is the story of one RPCV who made his home in Nicaragua who has been wrongfully imprisoned since last year on what many say are trumped up charges.”
 

Jason's Sister Meets with State Department

Jason's sister, Janis, arrived in Washington DC early this morning. She will spend the day meeting with the State Department and Congressional offices in preparation for trial, which is scheduled to begin on Tuesday, August 9. It is important that we all keep the pressure on the Nicaraguan judiciary.

CALL TO ACTION: Please flood the offices with phone calls and emails demanding Jason's immediate release:

Embassy, United States of America
Robert J. Callahan, Ambassador to Nicaragua
Robert R. Downes, Deputy Chief of Mission
Kilometer 5 1/2 (5.5) Carretera Sur
Managua, Nicaragua
consularmanagua@state.gov
(505) 2252-7100

Embassy, Republic of Nicaragua
Francisco Obadiah Campbell Hooker, Ambassador to the United States
1627 New Hampshire Avenue, NW
Washington DC 20009
(202) 939-6570

U.S. Department of State
2201 C Street NW 
Washington, DC 20520 
202-647-4000 
TTY:1-800-877-8339 

President Barack Obama
The White House
1600 Pennsylvania Avenue NW
Washington, DC 20500
Comments: 202-456-1111
FAX: 202-456-2461

Congressman Adam Smith
2209 Pacific Ave, Suite B
Tacoma, WA 98402
Toll Free: 1-888-SMITH09
Phone: 253-593-6600

KIRO News Reports on State Department's Lack of Response

In a follow up to her article entitled "Does the State Department Care about Jason Puracal?", Brandi Kruse of KIRO News Radio reports on "What the State Department can't do for its 'most important' priority."

KIRO interviewed Drew Haldane, Acting Chief for Western Hemisphere Affairs in the Office of American Citizen Services and Crisis Management, and reported his comment that "We are actively involved in every case of a U.S. citizen arrested overseas that we are aware of, and that would number in the thousands. . . . One of the most important tasks of the State Department and of our embassies and consulates abroad is to provide assistance to U.S. citizens who have been incarcerated overseas."

But, as KIRO pointed out, "while it's their 'most important' priority, 'assistance' is somewhat relative." Jason's case shows "just how much - or little - the U.S. government and U.S. Department of State can do to help citizens in trouble overseas."

"I have been just astounded in the last couple of years at what the State Department is not doing for Americans who are in trouble overseas," said Steve Moore, a former FBI agent.

Read the full article here.