The Chilean Chamber of Deputies has rejected a legislative proposal that would have granted the Military Prosecutor's Office initial jurisdiction over investigations into espionage and crimes involving military installations.
The initiative, championed by Republican Deputy Luis Sánchez, failed to secure the necessary quorum for approval despite receiving a simple majority. The vote tallied 76 in favor, 63 against, and 5 abstentions, falling short of the 78 votes required for a regulation of this constitutional rank, according to latercera.com.
The bill sought to amend the Penal Code to mandate that crimes involving weapons, dangerous elements, or espionage occurring within military grounds be initially investigated by military justice. If investigators determined the accused was not a member of the Armed Forces, the case would then be transferred to the Public Prosecutor's Office.
Security vs. Due Process
Proponents of the measure argued that the change would strengthen the state's response to national security threats by involving specialized institutions from the start. Supporters also noted the bill included safeguards for civilians, as the ordinary justice system would ultimately take over cases involving non-military personnel.
Advocates suggested that stricter handling of military personnel could serve as a deterrent against espionage. However, opponents warned the project would distort the judicial system by subjecting civilians to military courts, even if only during the initial stages of an investigation.
Critics argued the proposal could violate fundamental rights, such as due process, and create legal uncertainty. They also noted the bill failed to modernize outdated legislation that is over a century old.
The legislative push followed an incident in May 2025 in Pozo Almonte, where two individuals entered an Air Force base. While authorities suspected espionage, the Public Prosecutor's Office could only charge the suspects with weapons law violations because military courts lack the authority to investigate civilians, the outlet reported.
