General Carlos Parera acquitted on sexual abuse charges

LA SERENA.-  The First Criminal Court of La Serena has found Army General Carlos Parera not guilty of the charges of sexual abuse and rape that were brought against him.

The accusations, which date back to the 31st of July of 2004, involved the alleged rape of his former housekeeper (of Peruvian nationality) and sexual abuse of the woman’s daughter, who was younger than three at the time. 

According to the accuser, General Parera had supposedly committed the acts of abuse at his home in the city of La Serena. 

The court’s verdict was delivered yesterday after the oral trial of the case was concluded.  The official ruling will be issued on Tuesday of next week, at which time the Public Ministry may request an appeal if it decides to do so.

General Carlos Parera, who was the head of the Santiago garrison, is known for not having requested permission from former President Patricio Aylwin to begin the march at the 1990 military parade.