Prosecutor Requests Dismissal of Priest Accused of Sexual Abuse in Tucumán Case

The Prosecutor’s Office in Tucumán has requested the dismissal of priest Pablo Valdez, accused of sexual abuse against a minor. The case, initially filed in 2022, was reopened following a judicial decision. Prosecutor Gerardo Salas submitted the request, which is currently under review in the 20th instance. The legal proceedings have been marked by multiple shifts in the case’s trajectory, reflecting the complexity of the allegations and the legal interpretations involved.

The case gained public attention in May 2022 when the complainant’s relatives and neighbors gathered at the parish of Nuestra Señora de la Merced. The situation escalated to the point of requiring police intervention. The initial investigation was conducted by prosecutor Eugenia Posse, who decided to file the case on two separate occasions. However, the complainant’s legal representative, Luciana Gramaglio, argued that the actions did not constitute a sexual offense and that the minor had consented to the relationship.

When the complainant reached the age of majority, she sought to reactivate the investigation with her legal representatives. The Court of Appeal declared the file null and void, citing concerns over the complainant’s access to justice. This decision was appealed, leading to the filing of a new complaint by prosecutor Mónica García against Valdez for aggravated sexual abuse. The case was confirmed by Judge Mario Velázquez, according to records cited by the complainant’s legal team.

The request for Valdez’s dismissal has introduced a new phase of uncertainty. The final decision rests with the intervening judge, who must determine whether to accept or reject the request. The complaint emphasizes the need to consider the age difference, the priest’s position of spiritual authority, and the context of the alleged abuse. These factors are part of the complainant’s legal arguments and must be evaluated within the judicial framework.

The Network of Survivors of Ecclesiastical Abuses of Argentina, which supports the complainant, has expressed its rejection of the dismissal request. The organization links the possibility of closing the case to the upcoming visit of Pope Leon XIV to Argentina, highlighting ongoing concerns about accountability and justice within the Church. The case continues to unfold, with the legal system tasked with balancing the rights of all parties involved.

Source: Read the original report (translated from Spanish)