Overview
- After roughly three years in detention, the Tribunal Oral Federal No. 1 cleared Roberto Tagliabué of aggravated labor trafficking and illegal medical practice.
- He was convicted for illegal sale of protected wildlife involving 97 animals and for animal mistreatment concerning 154 animals, receiving a six-month conditional sentence.
- Judge Roberto Falcone said entrants joined the faith-based rehabilitation space voluntarily, could leave at any time, and faced restrictions consistent with treatment rather than coercive control.
- The ruling rejected claims of “coercive persuasion,” faulted the prosecution for relying on uncorroborated reports, and warned against equating social vulnerability with an inability to consent.
- Defense attorney Mauricio Varela said Tagliabué would sleep at home as supporters rallied outside the courthouse with chants and banners.