The Fiscalía opened an investigation on Wednesday following a complaint by socialist parliamentarians over conversations between designated ambassador Gabriel Zaliasnik and lawyer Luis Hermosilla. The government stated the inquiry does not modify the nomination.
The Regional Anti-Corruption Unit of the Valparaíso Fiscalía was assigned to investigate the complaint filed by deputy Daniel Manouchehri and senator Daniella Cicardini, both from the Socialist Party. The communications come from messages on the phone seized from Hermosilla in the Audio case and could involve possible crimes such as embezzlement of public funds, fraud against the Treasury, incompatible negotiation, influence peddling and illegal interception of communications.
Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez Mackenna stated on Thursday that the investigation does not modify the decisions taken. “This is an investigation that has only just begun, and we are very respectful of the Public Ministry and the procedures of justice,” the minister of foreign affairs said.
The La Moneda government keeps the situation under monitoring and rules out reversing Zaliasnik’s nomination as ambassador to Israel for now, since the diplomatic process is advanced and has the approval of that country. Deputy Manouchehri called on President José Antonio Kast to intervene and said Zaliasnik cannot represent Chile while the case is clarified.
