El Salvador judge removed from top court, accused of sexual abuse

A Supreme Court Judge named Jaime Eduardo Escalante Diaz (51) was temporarily removed from his post pending a trial after he was accused of sexually abusing a 10-year-old girl, reported reuters. El Salvador’s Congress voting was held on Monday night.

Patricia Valdivieso, a lawmaker with the conservative Nationalist Republican Alliance (ARENA) said “An important precedent is being set to prevent this type of event from repeating, especially with regard to officials with such a high position”.

The accused Escalante Diaz has served for more than two decades on the 14-member court. He has been accused of sexually abusing a 10 year old girl on February 18, and then fleeing after he was surprised by neighbours and the girl’s mother.

During the congressional session on Monday, the judge did not speak on his own behalf. His lawyer, Ana Concepcion Urias, would only say that he did not object to the process. If the accused is convicted, he will be sentenced to prison for about eight to twelve years.

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