EX-SECURITY CHIEF QUINTANILLA FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 001171 SENSITIVE SIPDIS E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: PGOV PINR ASEC SNAR GT SUBJECT: EX-SECURITY CHIEF QUINTANILLA FUGITIVE FROM JUSTICE REF: GUATEMALA 01131 ¶1. (U) Ex-Chief of Presidential Security, Carlos Quintanilla, and former head of the Secretariat of Strategic Analysis (SAE),Gustavo Solano, became fugitives from justice on September 6, following the execution of multiple search warrants at residences and places of business belonging to both men. The arrest and search warrants came two days after President Alvaro Colom accepted both men's resignations following the discovery of listening devices in offices belonging to the President and First Lady (REFTEL). Originally both men were accused of negligence, but the arrest warrants initiated by the attorney from the Public Ministry in charge of the investigation, Rony Lopez, allege that Quintanilla and Solano were involved in espionage. Colom has stated publicly that he accepted Quintanilla's resignation because he was responsible for failing to detect the listening devices, but has refrained from making public accusations against Quintanilla. Those investigating the case continue to execute search warrants on various properties belonging to the fugitives. ¶2. (SBU) Lopez has requested Embassy assistance in examining and investigating the various listening devices found thus far. Embassy has been in touch with LEGATT to explore possibility of technical assistance and is prepared to provide assistance through appropriate law enforcement channels. On September 8, the Deputy Director of the UN-led International Commission Against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG),Amerigo Incalcaterra, told the Pol/Econ Counselor that while CICIG had not yet assisted in the investigation, CICIG is seeking to bring in outside technical experts to assist Guatemalan investigators at the request of the GOG. McFarland