Through his lawyer, actor Juan Darthés on Thursday promised to "collaborate" with Nicaraguan Judiciary, as he again insisted he is innocent of rape allegations.
At a press conference in December last year, Argentine actress Thelma Fardín – who worked with the actor on shows and tours related to the TV show Patito Feo (“Ugly Duckling – accused Darthés of raping her in May 2009 in Managua, Nicaragua. A few days earlier, she had formally denounced the alleged crime before the Nicaraguan authorities.
Fardín was 16 at the time of the alleged attack. Darthés was 45.
Juan Pacifico Dabul (known as Juan Darthés), who also has Argentine and Brazilian nationality, "explicitly wishes to express his willingness to collaborate with Nicaraguan justice," his lawyer César Guevara in a note filed Tuesday before the courts in Managua.
In the text, the actor requested that an arrest warrant against him not be actioned, saying he has collaborated with the Nicaraguan authorities and its investigations in a "diligent manner."
According to Fardín's complaint, the actor took advantage of his workplace bond and "age difference" to sexually assault her. After analyzing her testimony and available evidence, Nicaraguan prosecutors formally accused Darthés for the crime of aggravated rape and requested an international arrest warrant, be issued for his arrest which has not yet been issued by the judge in charge of the case.
"My representative Juan Darthés pleads not guilty to unfairly filed charges," said the actor's lawyer in the brief.
The actor has also asked the judge communicate with the Argentine authorities to investigate Fardín's "profile," who he accuses of having a "manipulative personality." He claims in his defence that the actress has had problems with her father and sister, according to the text.
Darthés also urged investigators to question Fardín's ex-boyfriend, Juan Manuel Guilera, saying he could be called as a "potential witness." The actor alleges that Guilera had "an open relationship" with the actress since she was a minor.
The document also criticises a lawyer who works with the Actrices Argentinas group, Sabrina Cartabia, who Darthés describes as "a feminist militant."
Nicaraguan law states that the trial can only be carried out with the presence of the accused. Darthés, who moved from Argentina to Brazil in the wake of the scandal, has not indicated whether he will travel to Nicaragua to respond to the accusations.
Brazil and Nicaragua don’t have an extradition agreement, which would facilitate and compel Brazilian law enforcement to hand over Darthés. Therefore, Interpol, the international police organisation, must intervene.
– TIMES/AFP
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