Defense Accuses "Attempt at Criminalization": Trial Begins Against 20 Community Members for Timber Theft

This Tuesday, the oral trial began in the case involving 20 Mapuche community members accused of timber theft in a rural area of Panguipulli, Los Ríos region.

The events occurred between August 2018 and June 2019, when unidentified individuals entered to steal native tree species from a property located in Trafún, Liquiñe locality, which, according to the Public Prosecutor's Office, is owned by the Sociedad Agrícola Las Vertientes.

The Public Ministry valued the stolen goods at approximately $30 million, which is why it filed charges against 20 members of indigenous communities in the area—13 for the crime of simple theft and 7 for receiving stolen property—risking sentences of between 3 and 5 years in prison.

This Tuesday, the first day of the oral trial took place, after the temporary dismissal of the case was revoked pending the resolution of a civil lawsuit for land restitution filed by the communities, who argue that the property in question corresponds to an ancestral site.

One of the defense lawyers, Orietta Llauca, stated that, in her opinion, the hearing should have been suspended pending the resolution of the other legal action, pointing to an "attempt at criminalization" of the territorial struggle.

Despite the complaint, the hearing began this Tuesday with preliminary matters requested by the parties involved, such as the dismissal of one of the accused who has terminal cancer, according to his lawyer—a request granted by the judges, who instructed the Legal Medical Service (SML) to gather more information about his health status.

Subsequently, the reading of the prosecution's charges and the opening arguments took place. The trial will extend until next Friday, the day on which the court will decide whether to convict or acquit the accused of timber theft.

Source: BiobioChile