Transparency International deeply concerned over arrest of Nicaraguan Comptroller-General

"Disturbing pattern of false accusations against officials who fight corruption in high places"

Transparency International, the international organisation against corruption, has expressed its deep concern at the arrest of Agustín Jarquín Anaya, the Comptroller-General in Managua, Niacaragua on Wednesday. Transparency International also calls for a fair and prompt trial of Mr. Jarquín Anaya.

"While we cannot, of course, express an opinion on this particular case, in many parts of the world there has been a disturbing pattern of false accusations made against officials seen by their public to be fighting corruption in high places", said TI Executive Director Miguel Schloss. TI said that it was aware of the excellent reputation Mr. Jarquín Anaya enjoys for fighting high-level corruption, and the shock that the arrest had caused.

TI stressed that the existence of a strong and independent Auditor-General as well as a judiciary fully independent from pressure by the executive was vital for any integrity system.

TI also recalled that even when acquitted, the fact of a trial or an accusation has been used with increasing frequency to deny the re- appointment of wrongfully accused officials to the post from which they had been suspended. "We call on the government to guarantee not only a speedy and fair trial, but also to give a public assurance that, if acquitted, Mr. Jarquín Anaya will be immediately restored to the office he held at the time of his arrest," said Miguel Schloss.

For more information, please contact...

At the TI International Secretariat

Mr. Jeff Lovitt, Head of Public Relations
Tel.: +4930 343 8200
press@transparency.org
Mr. Miguel Schloss, Executive Director
mschloss@transparency.org