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Former Costa Rica president on trial for corruption

Former Costa Rican President Rafael Angel Calderon went on trial here Monday for alleged embezzlement and corruption over payments he received in the purchase of medical equipment from Finland.

The public prosecutor’s office accuses Calderon and seven others, including the former head of the social security fund, of receiving kickbacks in the purchase of 39.5 million dollars of medical equipment from Finnish company Instrumentarium Medko Medical.

Calderon — who was president of the Central American country from 1990 to 1994 and plans to stand again in 2010 — said he is innocent and that he received professional fees from a private company for his services as a lawyer in the sale.

The purchase took place several years after the end of his presidency.

“It is a long process and we have to be patient,” the 58-year-old, who has already spent one year in prison in connection with the case, said Monday.