Aug. 25 (UPI) -- A special congressional committee in Costa Rica is reviewing a request to lift President Rodrigo Chaves' immunity, putting the executive branch and judiciary at odds.
Tensions between the two institutions escalated Friday after Chaves appeared before the committee, where he denied corruption charges and denounced the investigation by the National Prosecutor's Office as a "setup" and a "judicial coup attempt."
The more than four-hour session -- broadcast live -- marked an unprecedented moment: it was the first time a sitting president testified before lawmakers in a process to lift immunity.
Criticizing the judiciary's role in the case brought by Attorney General Carlo Díaz, President Chaves told the committee the accusation had roots in the early days of his administration, when "I showed the people the responsibility of the judiciary and of legislative policy in the deep deterioration of our society."
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