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Members of the U.S. Congress have sent a letter to the President of Nicaragua, urging that he order an independent review in the case Jason Puracal. (Photo: Brandi Kruse/KIRO Radio)

U.S. Congress urges Nicaragua's Ortega to review Puracal case

BY Brandi Kruse  on May 10, 2012 @ 10:50 am (Updated: 12:21 pm - 5/10/12 )

Members of U.S. Congress have sent a letter to the President of Nicaragua, urging that he order an independent review in the case of a Tacoma man who claims he has been wrongly imprisoned in the country.

The letter to President Daniel Ortega was signed by 43 members of Congress, including Representative Adam Smith of Washington, who has demanded that the government show evidence of Jason Puracal's guilt or set him free.

Puracal, 35, is a University of Washington graduate who originally moved to Central America as a member of the Peace Corps. He was arrested in November 2010 at his home in San Juan del Sur.

Nicaraguan National Police claim he laundered drug money through his real estate franchise in the seaside village, and Puracal was subsequently convicted of drug trafficking and money laundering. He was sentenced to 22 years in La Modelo, a dilapidated prison on the outskirts of Managua.

"We wish to convey our serious concern about the trial and appeal of American citizen, Jason Puracal," reads the letter, dated May 9, 2012. It argues that Puracal was denied due process and is being held in a prison that does not meet internationally accepted standards of human rights.

>>Read letter here

" ... there is a compelling need for a thorough and objective prosecutorial review of Mr. Puracal's case to determine his innocence under Nicaraguan law," the letter reads.

Pressure appears to be mounting for the Nicaraguan government in the case, as the California Innocence Project has taken on the fight to free Puracal, and an online petition at Change.org has garnered more than 85,000 signatures.

Brandi Kruse, KIRO Radio Reporter
Brandi Kruse is a reporter for KIRO Radio who is as spontaneous and adventurous in her free time as she is on the job. Brandi arrived at KIRO Radio in March 2011 and has already collected three regional Edward R. Murrow awards for her reporting.
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  • ron prevost wrote...
    Sorry, Jason - you're no Amanda Knox
    May 10, 2012 5:25 pm
    Not all that young. Not female. And not white. ... And, like Ortega really gives s flip anyway. But, WHY only 47 supporters in Congress ? EVERYONE from the Washington delegation should have signed on - not just Adam Smith. ........................... Mr. Obama, this is a chance to show some real leadership - not just a show to make YOU look good.
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