Costa Rica's top court calls for President Chaves to stand trial on corruption charges
Costa Rica's attorney general's office in April alleged that members of Chaves' government awarded kickbacks to a top government ally using funds from the Central American Bank for Economic Integration (CABEI).
In an extraordinary session, the court also requested Culture Minister Jorge Rodriguez, who previously acted as communication minister, stand trial in the same case.
Costa Rica's National Assembly is controlled by opposition lawmakers.
Chaves and Rodriguez face between two to eight years in prison if convicted. They both have denied the accusations.
The attorney general's office said that a former presidential adviser was paid US$32,000 with funds awarded by CABEI.
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