News

Quilleco Case: Preparation Hearing Concludes, Awaiting Date for Start of Oral Trial

Sponsors

After being rescheduled at least eight times, the preparation hearing for the oral trial regarding the arson attack recorded in October 2023 in the commune of Quilleco concluded this Tuesday.

Although the hearing ended yesterday, there is still no set date for the start of the oral trial, as the drafting of the opening order—a document compiling all the background discussed during the preparatory hearing—is pending.

The document includes the Public Prosecutor's accusation, the description of the crime, the sentencing request, as well as the list of witnesses, experts, and documentary evidence to be presented by all involved parties.

Once this opening order is issued, the parties have five days to challenge evidence presented by the opposing side, a motion that must be reviewed by the Court of Appeals of Concepción.

If no challenges are filed, the opening order becomes final and is sent to the Oral Criminal Trial Court of Los Ángeles, where the definitive date for the oral trial will be set.

Thus, updates regarding possible appeals or directly about the scheduling of the trial hearing may emerge next week, marking a milestone in a case of high interest for the commune and the Biobío province.

THE CASE

The events date back to the early hours of October 13, 2023, when an arson attack occurred at kilometer 25 of Route Q-45, near Quilleco.

Around 3:30 a.m., Carabineros from the Canteras outpost received a report about five masked individuals armed with rifles and long shotguns who allegedly arrived at a forestry worksite.

The suspects reportedly intimidated a victim with firearms and forced them, under threats, to accompany them in a vehicle to the main road. Later, they allegedly made the victim exit before setting fire to two trucks.

One machine was burned at kilometer 25 and the other at kilometer 21, heading toward Los Ángeles. Carabineros launched an operation and managed to identify the vehicle used by the alleged perpetrators.

Inside the vehicle, as reported at the time, balaclavas and accelerant liquid were found. The individuals were arrested and taken to the First Carabineros Station of Los Ángeles.

The incident was described as "unprecedented," as it marked the first arrest of suspects in an attack of this nature in the Biobío province and the Southern Macrozone.

The detainees were identified as Óscar Hernán Cañupan Calfín; Bastián Andrés Llaitul Vergara, nephew of Héctor Llaitul; José Ignacio Lienqueo Márquez; Roberto Alejandro Garling Infante; and Axel Cristóbal Campos Vivallos.

All were identified as members of the Arauco Malleco Coordinating Group (CAM) and formally charged with aggravated robbery as a completed offense.

Source:La Tribuna