Kast addresses Patricio Maturana's parole: "It is a benefit that anyone convicted has"

PoliticsFrom Bolivia, the Head of State avoided referring to the Republican Party's pressure for a possible granting of pardons to those convicted in the context of the social unrest. CommentsIn the framework of his official visit to Bolivia, President José Antonio Kast spoke today about the parole granted to former police officer Patricio Maturana, convicted of leaving Senator Fabiola Campillai blind during the social unrest. It should be recalled that this Friday the Parole Commission of the jurisdiction of the Court of Appeals of Talca resolved to grant the request made by the former officer's defense to access the benefit, just days before a new commemoration of October 18. In October 2022, Maturana was sentenced to more than 12 years in prison for the crimes of illegitimate coercion resulting in very serious injuries for his responsibility in the wounds that blinded Campillai. The nearly two years he spent deprived of liberty in his home before being convicted were credited toward his sentence, so he met the time and conduct requirements established in current regulations to leave the prison. In this regard, President Kast stated that the Maturana matter was resolved "in accordance with our institutions," after which he emphasized that "the benefit of parole is a benefit that any person who has been convicted by the courts of justice has, and it is granted to any person who is serving a sentence. And this is carried out according to an internal procedure of Gendarmerie, according to the Gendarmerie regulations and the rules that govern our nation." When asked whether the former officer's parole is "one more step" toward the possible granting of pardons to the officers convicted in the context of the social unrest, the president stated that these are "different matters" and avoided elaborating on his campaign promise regarding the granting of the benefit, as recently demanded by legislators from his own party, the Republican Party. "Regarding October 18, what I can say is that we have a forward-looking vision. What is clear to us is that what we saw on that October 18, an irrational violence, can never be repeated. We do not seek to generate divisions among Chileans, we seek unity," he stated. The head of state added that "during the campaign I spoke of legislative unity. When the citizenry elected me, we sought a cabinet much broader than what many people expected from me as a presidential candidate and as President of the Republic. And we have advanced on all issues, always restoring institutions. The support of our police forces has been forceful in all areas, legislative, executive. And we have always stated that our police forces, our Gendarmerie, will have the full support of the government to maintain public order." More about:José Antonio KastPatricio MaturanaFabiola CampillaiparoleBolivia