Retired Judge Manuel Piñar Summoned for Testimony in Juana Rivas Case Amid Privacy and Perjury Allegations
The Instruction Court number 3 of Granada has summoned retired Judge Manuel Piñar to testify this Tuesday regarding the controversial case of Juana Rivas, who was sentenced for child abduction. The summoning follows a complaint lodged by Rivas' lawyer, Carlos Aránguez, who alleges multiple crimes against privacy and perjury by the judge.
The hearing is set for 9:30 AM on January 14, as detailed in an order issued by the Court. The complaint highlights that Judge Piñar accessed private conversations from a WhatsApp group intended for a select circle of journalists and misused this sensitive information, violating the constitutional right to the confidentiality of communications.
Aránguez claims that this exclusive group was created to discuss case-related matters, including that of Juana Rivas, and insists that access is strictly limited to individuals invited by him. However, Judge Piñar has reportedly used screenshots of these conversations in his complaints against Rivas, revealing insights that could only come from someone who was part of this private group.
Initially, when testifying as a witness, Judge Piñar claimed to have received an anonymous envelope containing these screenshots. In a subsequent declaration to the court, he alleged that a journalist provided him the information but refused to disclose the journalist's identity. The confusion continued when, for the third time, he asserted that the material had come through email.
Rivas' lawyer insists that Piñar had the responsibility to provide truthful testimony, leading to suspicions of invasion of privacy and perjury. Moreover, in July 2023, Piñar filed another complaint against Juana Rivas, referencing the same private conversations, further complicating the case.
The developments come amid existing legal challenges against Piñar, particularly a separate complaint regarding alleged derogatory remarks against migrant or ethnic minority groups on Facebook. Last December, the Instruction Court number 8 of Granada commenced preliminary proceedings against him, which could lead to further legal ramifications.
This multifaceted legal battle raises significant questions about judicial conduct and privacy rights, as the accusations and counter-accusations unfold in the public eye, emphasizing the complexities of the justice system in handling sensitive cases involving vulnerable individuals.
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