The case was reported yesterday during a press conference in Diario Extra facilities in San Jose. The individuals from the newspaper company announced that the situation will lead to the Inter American Commission on Human Rights. | JOHN DURAN
During a press conference on Monday, journalists from Diario Extra explained in more detail allegations against judicial authorities for tracing the phone calls of reporter Manuel Estrada. Attorney General Jorge Chavarría has rejected claims that the act amounted to espionage and explained that that the traces were made because La Extra was reporting facts in two kidnapping cases, which judicial authorities believed came from within their organization. Officials worried that a leak would present a danger to the lives of kidnap victims in both cases.
The cases were the February 2013, kidnap of a college professor and the kidnap of businessman Andres Rodriguez Navarrete in May of the same year.
No warrant was provided for the phone taping, but the Attorney general claims the act was legal based on judicial precedents.
An investigator with the OIJ has been suspended from duty and is facing possible criminal charges for leaking information on kidnap cases to the public. Journalist Manuel Estrada will not confirm if the same person is his source.