The video clearly shows how Lopez attempts, unsuccessfully at first, to gain entrance to the Our Lady of the Rosary of Fatima convent via a kitchen door by ringing a bell.
Eventually nuns open the door for him and even help the former Public Works Secretary carry in the bags that he brought with him, which contained approximately $8.5 million in dollars, yen, euros and other currencies.
The video also shows that while Lopez did indeed had a .22 caliber rifle with him, it is clearly visible that he doesn’t point it at the nuns or threatens them with it, making it highly unlikely that the women were acting under duress.
The authorities have already summoned Lopez’s wife and one of the nuns, Sister Celia Inés Aparicio, for questioning, sources in the court told Sputnik.
"The video is clear: Sister Celia Inés Aparicio calmly picked up those bags. Such nonchalance could only be exhibited by and accomplice who tries to conceal a crime," a statement issued by the prosecutor’s office said.
Prosecutor Federico Delgado said he believes that Lopez’s arrival at the monastery was preplanned and that the nuns were awaiting him.
"They (nuns) were expecting him (Lopez), it is known that they had a phone conversation beforehand. The nuns opened a door for him early in the morning and even attempted to prevent the police’s arrival," the statement said.
Delgado also said that Lopez and his wife constantly stayed in contact, in person and by phone, several hours prior to his arrest and even after he'd already hid his money.
Argentina’s former Minister of Public Works was arrested on Tuesday while trying to bury 8.5 million in dollars and other currencies in a hole dug on the territory of a convent just outside Buenos Aires.
Exfuncionarios kirchneristas imputados en #Argentina por presunto desvío de fondos https://t.co/YBEizwn1zQ
— Sputnik Mundo (@SputnikMundo) 16 июня 2016 г.
Caught red-handed, Jose Lopez attempted to bribe law enforcement officers who had arrived at the scene after being alerted by an anonymous caller about a stranger throwing bags onto the property early Tuesday. After the police officers turned down the bribe, the former Minister of Public Works told the nuns that police had tried to steal the money he was trying to donate to the convent.
