Rodríiguez is being held in La Reforma prison in Alajuela after a court decision changed his detention from house arrest for jail following his return to Costa Rica on October 15, 2004.

Rodríguez is being accused - though not formally charged - with corruption in the ICE-Alcatel scandal. Today's appearance will be the first time since his jailing that he will go before a judge to plead his case.

Rodríguez told the Spanish language daily newspaper Diario Extra in a telephone interview that, since his stepping down as Secretary General of the Organization of American States (OAS) and returning voluntarily to Costa Rica, he has lost his freedom.

"I have been deprived of my liberty even though there are no formal charges against me", Rodríguez told the newspaper. "I am being held in isolation, which is the worst punishment and heaviest psychological burdern, after serving my country, which they say is for my own protection."

Rodríguez has been adamant in his declaration that he has no intention of fleeing the country if he is released and reminds authorities that he came back to Costa Rica of his own volition, knowing full well the accusations against him and that he could be arrested.

"I am in prison though I have not had a trial and have not been condemmed by a court", were the words of the former president, adding that he be treated the same way of any other Costa Rican, in accordance with the Constitutional righ of innocence, liberty and due process.

In Costa Rica, a court can order an accused to preventive detention while the Fiscalía (prosecutor's office) continues it's investigation. Preventive detention permits the authorities to prevent the accused from fleeing their jurisdiction and impeding the investigation process.
 

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