(IPYS/IFEX) – On 24 May 1997, IPYS reported that on 23 May the Supreme Court chamber specializing in tax and customs offences had ordered Ricardo Palma Michelsen detained in the ongoing tax evasion case against him. Palma is the managing director of the Radio Miraflores radio station. Judicial police detained Palma at 6:45 as he […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 24 May 1997, IPYS reported that on 23 May the
Supreme Court chamber specializing in tax and customs offences had
ordered Ricardo Palma Michelsen detained in the ongoing tax
evasion case against him. Palma is the managing director of the
Radio Miraflores radio station. Judicial police detained Palma at
6:45 as he was preparing to enter the Lima-based radio station’s
offices on Manco Ciapac 495, in the Miraflores district. He was
then remanded to the interrogations division in the federal
courthouse (Palacio de Justicia). The judges who ordered Palma
detained are: Luis Jero Durand, Carlos Saponara Milligan, Julio
Fernandez Urday, Victoria Ampuero de Fuentes and Jose Cerna
Sanchez.
**Updates IFEX alerts of 3 June and 23 May 1996**
With this detention order, the Supreme Court overturned the simple
summons in effect since the tax evasion case opened in May 1996
for Palma and Manuel Jesus Garrido Silva to appear in court. Palma
is accused of failing to disclose earnings in order to evade taxes
(sales taxes between 1991 and 1995, and income taxes) allegedly
amounting to 5,320,000 new soles (US$ 2 million; see IFEX alerts).
The court ordered Palma detained because it considers the charge
serious and believes there is evidence against Palma. If
convicted, he could face over four years in prison. The court’s
decision was the result of an appeal launched by the federal tax
administration department (the Superintendencia Nacional de
Administracion Publica, SUNAT) against the Lima Criminal Court’s
decision to allow Palma to remain free during the proceedings.
The case is currently before the Superior Court chamber which
deals with tax and customs offences (the Sala Superior Especial
contra Delitos Tributarios y Aduaneros), presided over by Judge
Raul Lorenzi Goicoche. The next step is for prosecutor Moises Lara
Chienda to issue his recommendation of whether to continue
prosecuting Palma.
Palma’s lawyer, Domingo Orerzzoli, said he would file an appeal
with tax court judge Nicolas Trujillo Lopez seeking the immediate
release of Palma.
IPYS notes that, although developments in this case come at a time
when several media and journalists have come under attack in Peru,
there appears to be some evidence of tax fraud. IPYS is asking
authorities to ensure the investigation of Palma and his trial are
fair.
