CASE OF RICO VS. ARGENTINA Table of Contents I. INTRODUCTION OF THE CASE AND CAUSE OF ACTION .................................................. 3 II. PROCEEDINGS BEFORE THE COURT .............................................................................. 4 III. JURISDICTION ........................................................................................................... 4 IV. PRELIMINARY OBJECTION .......................................................................................... 5 A. Arguments of the parties and the Commission ........................................... 5 B. Considerations of the Court........................................................................ 5 V. EVIDENCE ..................................................................................................................... 7 VI. FACTS .......................................................................................................................... 8 A. Background ................................................................................................ 8 B. The facts of the proceedings before the Provincial Impeachment Jury ...... 8 C. Appeals filed by Mr. Rico .......................................................................... 11 C.1. Special Appeal for Nullity ("REN") before the Supreme Court of the Province of Buenos Aires ("SCJBA"). .................................................................................. 11 Federal extraordinary appeal ("REF") before the Supreme Court of the Province of Buenos Aires ("SCJBA"). .................................................................................. 12 VII. MERITS .................................................................................................................... 12 VII.1. MR. RICO'S RIGHT TO JUDICIAL GUARANTEES ..................................................... 13 A. Arguments of the Commission and the parties .........................................13 B. Considerations of the Court......................................................................14 B.1. The alleged violation of the right to a competent and independent tribunal ..... 15 B.2. The alleged violation of the right to an impartial tribunal ............................... 18 B.3. The right to a reasoned decision ................................................................ 19 B.4. The alleged violation of the right of defense, other judicial guarantees and the right to appeal the judgment to a higher court ........................................................... 20 B.5. Conclusion .............................................................................................. 21 VII. 2. THE RIGHT TO JUDICIAL PROTECTION OF MR. RICO ........................................... 21 A. Arguments of the parties and the Commission ......................................... 21 B. Considerations of the Court...................................................................... 22 VII.3. PRINCIPLE OF LEGALITY AND RIGHT TO PARTICIPATE IN GOVERNMENT OF MR. RICO 24 A. Arguments of the parties and the Commission ......................................... 24 B. Considerations of the Court...................................................................... 24 B.1. Principle of legality ................................................................................... 24 B.2. Mr. Rico's right to participate in government ............................................... 26 VIII. OPERATIVE PARAGRAPHS ..................................................................................... 27 -2-