El Ciudadano
Original article: Trama Zaliasnik con Hermosilla: Juristas rechazan su nombramiento como embajador en Israel, mientras en el Colegio de Abogados solicitan su expulsión
AJD Questions Appointment of Ambassador to Israel
The Association of Jurists for Democracy (AJD) publicly expressed its opposition to Gabriel Zaliasnik’s appointment as Chile’s ambassador to Israel, arguing that international representation requires high standards of suitability, integrity, independence, and unwavering respect for the principles underpinning the rule of law.
In a public statement recently disseminated to the media, the organization expressed its «deep concern» about the attorney’s designation, noting that his name has been linked to matters currently under investigation by the Public Prosecutor’s Office. According to the AJD, this should have prompted authorities to act with greater prudence before finalizing such an important institutional nomination.
The group reminded that various media outlets have reported on investigative actions related to discussions between Zaliasnik and lawyer Luis Hermosilla, in the context of allegations considering potential crimes such as influence peddling, incompatible negotiation, embezzlement of public funds, and other actions that could undermine public trust in institutions.
While the association emphasized the need to fully respect the presumption of innocence, it asserted that defending public faith and citizen trust demands higher standards than mere formal compliance with legal requirements. In this context, it argued that existing ongoing investigations should have been taken into account prior to making a diplomatic decision.
The statement also referred to Zaliasnik’s role in various judicial processes that have drawn criticism from political, social, and academic circles. It specifically mentioned the case involving former Recoleta mayor Daniel Jadue, highlighting that many voices have raised concerns about practices of judicialization of politics that could threaten equality before the law and democratic pluralism.
The AJD further asserted that it is particularly sensitive for this appointment to impact Chile’s diplomatic representation in Israel, given the current international scenario characterized by debates concerning respect for international law, human rights, and the obligations of states in humanitarian conflicts. In the organization’s view, the country should be represented by figures capable of enhancing the ethical and political credibility of Chile’s foreign actions.
The entity maintained that democracy requires independent courts and a clear distance from networks of influence, corporate privileges, and any practices that could weaken public trust in republican institutions. Therefore, it urged the government to reconsider the appointment and to reinforce standards of transparency, integrity, and political responsibility in high-level public nominations.
Access the public statement in PDF format from AJD
Call for Expulsion from the Bar Association
In addition to the criticisms from the AJD, a new action was previously presented to the Bar Association. As reported by Radio Biobío, lawyer Luis Mariano Rendón, a complainant in the so-called Hermosilla case, filed a complaint seeking Gabriel Zaliasnik’s expulsion from the guild.
According to information published by Radio Biobío, the complaint is based on a potential violation of Article 95 of the Bar Association’s Professional Ethics Code, which mandates loyalty in litigation and prohibits influencing courts for reasons unrelated to the legal evidence of a case. This action arises after the release of chats between Zaliasnik and Luis Hermosilla, in which the current ambassador allegedly requested actions to influence ministers of an Appeals Court panel.
Radio Biobío reported that Rendón described the contents of these communications as «completely unacceptable» and asserted that, regardless of any potential criminal responsibilities being investigated by the Prosecutor’s Office, the described facts would be sufficient to justify a severe ethical sanction. Meanwhile, the government has maintained its support for Zaliasnik’s continued role as ambassador to Israel, stating that it is important to respect the ongoing investigations currently being conducted by the Public Prosecutor’s Office.
La entrada Critics Challenge Gabriel Zaliasnik’s Appointment as Chile’s Ambassador to Israel Amid Calls for Expulsion from the Bar Association se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
🔥 Ver noticia completa en ElCiudadano.cl 🔥
