The judges of the Constitutional Court ordered the release of an elderly man, about to turn 71 years old, who was arrested on July, 8th and sent to the Child Support Unit in La Reforma prison for not paying ¢ 279,145 of monthly alimony.
The constitutionalists ruled in favor of the appeal of the man’s sentence, because it was found he is in critical health conditions, with high blood pressure; two strokes that had consequences on his hearing, muscles and extremities; resulting in dizziness and difficulty to walk and perform everyday tasks by himself.
After analyzing the doctor’s assessment, the magistrates ordered his immediate release. However, the senior citizen he is not exempt from paying alimony imposed by the competent judicial authority, despite having an old age pension of ¢ 62,720 per month.
The Court added that the man is obliged to pay the alimony, since it is a matter of legality,
which must be requested by the applicant and resolved by the competent court.”