The former ambassador Liliana Gutan claims that she is the victim of an institutional harassment campaign and that an internal audit of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs would have been used to initiate a criminal case against her. She asserts that the procedures triggered in her regard would have aimed at removing her from the ambassador position.

At a press conference at IPN, Liliana Gutan, alongside her attorneys, stated that an internal audit, a criminal investigation, disciplinary proceedings and reviews of her medical records had been initiated against her in succession. The former ambassador claims that all these actions are part of a coordinated effort to remove her from office and asserts that the proceedings began after she allegedly refused to resign.

“Each procedure taken separately seems legal, but together they were orchestrated and institutionalized as a mechanism set in motion by specific individuals”, mentioned the former ambassador.

The lawyers of Liliana Guțan have stated that the criminal case is based on the conclusions of an internal audit of the MAE, and the imputed damage targets expenses they consider justified, made in the exercise of diplomatic duties. Among these were mentioned hygiene products for the embassy, protocol expenses, as well as adjusting an official attire for the ceremony of presenting the accreditation letters in the Kingdom of Norway.

The defense argues that the audit report is contested in the administrative litigation court and that, in its opinion, the administrative and criminal procedures would have been used abusively.

Liliana Gutan stated that she will challenge all actions she considers illegal. “I will defend my honor in all courts and legal forums, national and international”, she said.

Contacted by IPN for a reaction, the press service of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs has not yet responded to messages and calls.

Note: The IPN Agency grants the right of reply to individuals who consider themselves to be the subject of news reports based on statements made by the organizers of this press conference, including by facilitating the organization of another press conference under similar conditions.