33 The national budget for the Guatemalan Army is 1,000 million quetzals; however, a “sort of transfer provides double this amount,” while the Judiciary “does not even have the budget to continue functioning.” C) ASSESSMENT OF THE EVIDENCE Assessment of the Documentary Evidence 70. In this case as in others,21 the Court accepts the probative value of the documents presented by the parties at the proper procedural opportunity or as helpful evidence, that were not contested or opposed, and whose authenticity was not questioned. 71. The Court considers that the statements of the alleged victims and of their next of kin, who have a direct interest in the case, must be assessed together with all the evidence in the proceeding. The statements of the victims are useful with regard to both merits and reparations, insofar as they can provide more information on the consequences of the violations that may have been perpetrated.22 72. With regard to the sworn statement of the expert witness, César Alba Cije, the State indicated that this report “[did] not constitute an audit as stated in [the said] report,” so that the Court should reject it23 (supra paras. 30 and 61(e)). Although this expert report was contested by the State, the Court admits it, insofar as it accords with its purpose, taking into account the objections raised by the State, and assesses it with the body of evidence, applying the rules of sound criticism.24 73. In the case of the sworn statement (affidavit) made before notary public by Mr. Shaw Arrivillaga (supra para. 46 and 66(a)), this Court admits it insofar as it agrees with its purpose, in light of Article 44(3) of the Court’s Rules of Procedure. Assessment of the Testimonial and Expert Evidence 74. As indicated above (supra para. 71), this Court considers that the statements of the alleged victims, who have a direct interest in this case, must be assessed within the whole body of evidence in the proceeding. Their statements are useful with regard to both merits and reparations, since they can provide more information on the consequences of any violations that may have been perpetrated 75. In light of the above, the Court will assess the probative value of the documents, statements and expert reports presented in writing or made before it. The evidence presented during the proceeding has been incorporated into a single body of evidence, which is considered as a whole.25 21 Cf. Case of Tibi, supra note 11, para. 77; Case of the “Juvenile Reeducation Institute”, supra note 11, para. 80; and Case of Ricardo Canese, supra note 11, para. 61. 22 Cf. Case of Tibi, supra note 11, para. 86; Case of the “Juvenile Reeducation Institute”, supra note 11, para. 83; and Case of Ricardo Canese, supra note 11, para. 66. 23 Cf. brief on merits, reparations, and costs, tome III, folio 748. 24 Cf. Case of Tibi, supra note 11, para. 88; Case of the “Juvenile Reeducation Institute”, supra note 11, para. 85; and Case of Ricardo Canese, supra note 11, para. 62. 25 Cf. Case of Tibi, supra note 11, para. 89; Case of the “Juvenile Reeducation Institute”, supra note 11, para. 100; and Case of Ricardo Canese, supra note 11, para. 68.