SAN JOSE (Reuters) – Costa Rica said on Thursday it has charged former President Luis Guillermo Solis with corruption, accusing him of involvement in a 2017 improper transfer of government funds to state-owned Bancredito.
The transfer was made to give the impression that the bank “would appear to have sufficient liquidity” to the benefit of the government’s image, the country’s attorney general said in statement.
Solis, who governed between 2014 and 2018, denied the charges.
“I categorically reject the charges that have been brought against me,” the former center-left leader said in a video posted on Twitter.
“We always acted in accordance with the law, seeking the benefit of the country, as well as the protection of Bancredito’s creditors and the rights of its workers,” he added.
If found guilty, Solis could face up to eight years in prison, the attorney general’s office said.
Charges over the matter were also brought against Helios Fallas, the former finance minister and Sergio Alfaro, the former minister of the presidency as well as two other senior finance ministry officials.
Alfaro denied the charges. “I know I did not commit any crime,” he said in a text message to Reuters.
Reuters was not able to immediately reach Fallas for comment.
(Reporting by Alvaro Murillo; Writing by Brendan O’Boyle; Editing by Edwina Gibbs)
