Lawyer Daza on Zaliasnik Scandal and Government Support: «Unlike Hermosilla, They Won’t Let Him Fall; He’s Much Higher Up»

Original article: Abogado Daza, ante escándalo de Zaliasnik y respaldo del Gobierno: “A diferencia de Hermosilla, no lo van a dejar caer; está mucho más arriba”

Government Protects Zaliasnik Despite Scandal Involving Chats with Hermosilla: «They’re Not Going to Remove Him,» States Lawyer Daza

Lawyer Mauricio Daza stated on social media that Chile’s ambassador to Israel, Gabriel Zaliasnik, will face no judicial or political repercussions despite serious leaked chats linking him to Luis Hermosilla in an alleged illicit scheme. «Of course they won’t remove him,» Daza asserted on his X account, recalling that Zaliasnik had previously represented powerful Finance Minister Jorge Quiroz in the MOP Gate scandal, where he even spent a couple of nights in the historic Capuchinos annex prison.

«Unlike Hermosilla, they won’t let Zaliasnik fall: he is much higher up and has deeper ties with judicial and political networks,» emphasized the attorney.

Daza cautioned that if the ambassador is truly investigated, the so-called «audio case» would become a mere anecdote, directly challenging the Public Ministry: «Let’s see if the prosecution dares this time.»

The leaked chats obtained by Reportea.cl reveal that Zaliasnik suggested «cutting the internet» during the social upheaval in November 2019, like in Iran, Turkey, or China, and sought to gather “cell phones and emails of notable figures like Jadue, Gutiérrez, and Riquelme.” He also intervened in judicial appointments, asking Hermosilla for a “push with Lily Leiton”—now Minister Lilian Leyton—and managed payments to represent retired General Mario Rozas through Loreto Silva, then president of ENAP.

In October 2020, the lawyer inquired: «Who can I ask for confidential expenses?» to finance the defense of then Health Minister Jaime Mañalich. Although Zaliasnik denied receiving such payments, the Valparaíso Prosecutor’s Office has launched an investigation into possible crimes including misappropriation of public funds, fraud against the Treasury, incompatible negotiations, influence peddling, and illegal interception of communications, triggered by complaints from Socialist lawmakers Daniel Manouchehri and Daniella Cicardini.

Despite the severe nature of the allegations, the Government continues to support Zaliasnik as ambassador in Israel. Foreign Minister Francisco Pérez stated that «an investigation does not change the decisions already made,» maintaining a stance of respect for the Public Ministry’s work and the judiciary. The minister refrained from commenting on whether any criteria exist for removing the diplomat if the investigation progresses.

The last chat between Zaliasnik and Hermosilla was on November 14, 2023, the same day the incriminating audio was disclosed regarding the now disgraced lawyer.