Los Ríos Prosecutor's Office Considers Filing for Annulment of Ruling that Acquitted 18 Community Members for Timber Theft

The Los Ríos Prosecutor's Office is analyzing whether to file an annulment appeal against the ruling that acquitted 18 community members for timber theft in Panguipulli. This is because it was determined that the evidence presented during the oral trial was insufficient to prove the accused's participation in the crimes.

The Public Prosecutor's Office filed charges against members of two indigenous communities investigated for stealing native species between 2018 and 2019. These alleged crimes would have been committed on property belonging to a forestry company in the Trafún sector of the lakeside commune. The accused faced between 3 and 5 years in prison for simple theft and receiving stolen goods.

However, the Oral Trial Court decided to unanimously acquit all the accused, after establishing that the evidence presented during the judicial process was insufficient to prove their involvement in the events.

Possible Annulment Appeal

In response to inquiries from Radio Bío Bío in Valdivia, the spokesperson for the Los Ríos Regional Prosecutor's Office, Eric Aguayo, confirmed they are analyzing whether to file an annulment appeal, with which they would seek to overturn the ruling.

Aguayo emphasized that they would make a decision regarding the next steps in the coming days. If they opt for the annulment appeal, it will be filed with the Oral Criminal Trial Court, and the case records would be forwarded to the Valdivia Court of Appeals.

The spokesperson for the Los Ríos Prosecutor's Office avoided self-criticism regarding the court's finding that the evidence presented did not prove the accused's participation. He stated that after concluding the upcoming procedures, an analysis of the work performed on the case will be conducted.

Source:BiobioChile