The Panamanian diplomat arrested last week in the Philippines for an alleged sexual assault was released Monday after the government recognized his diplomatic immunity.
Inspector Napoleón Cruz, a spokesman for the Special Division of Criminal Investigation, said that Erick Shcks Bairnals, 35, a technical evaluator of the Maritime Authority of Panama attached to the embassy, was released at 5 p.m. Monday.
"We received the order to liberate him from the Makati Regional Court once the Ministry of Foreign Affairs recognized the immunity," explained Cruz.
Shcks, who pleaded not guilty, said that despite having achieved immunity, he wants to proceed with the case to clean his name.
"I want to fight the case and prove that I am innocent," he said. "We are seeing if there is a way of doing this and, if possible, to maintain my immunity."
The Panamanian citizen was arrested on April 24 Tuesday for an incident involving a 19-year-old girl.
The case has caused controversy in the Philippines, where the opposition accused ruling party leader Benigno Aquino of "bowing to the dictates of any foreign government and their thugs who rape women and girls in the Philippines and around the world."
According to Philippine police, the alleged victim said that the incident occurred on April 23 at 11 p.m. The girl claimed that she was invited to the diplomat's house, where he drugged her.
Schks Bairnals denied giving any narcotic substance to the girl, although he admitted that they were both drinking that night. He said the sex between them was consensual.
Magnate16
Hace 1 ao
JulioEnrique
Hace 1 ao
los locos eran mas
Hace 1 ao
Ricardo
Hace 1 ao
Octopus
Hace 1 ao
La Vitrola
Hace 1 ao