The arraignment hearing for those accused of timber theft and other associated crimes in Chonchi was extended, and it was confirmed that 8 of the 25 detainees were placed under full house arrest.
The arraignment hearing for 25 people, mostly members of an indigenous community, will extend over several days. They are being investigated by the Public Prosecutor's Office for the crimes of timber theft, land usurpation, illicit association, money laundering, and clandestine trade, in events that occurred in the Púlpito sector of the Chonchi commune.
The accused, detained by the PDI (Investigative Police), remain in the Alto Bonito prison in Puerto Montt, under the custody of Gendarmerie.
Arraignment Extended for 25 Accused in Chonchi Timber Theft Case
The extension of the hearing is due to the debate over precautionary measures, an instance where the Prosecutor's Office requests pre-trial detention, presenting the background contained in an investigative file exceeding 5,000 pages before the Castro Guarantee Court.
In parallel, the defense, composed of 15 public and private lawyers, presents its arguments regarding the accused's involvement in the investigated events.
The families' spokesperson, Francisco Cárdenas, commented on the process's development and the detainees' situation, stating, "We defend the innocence of our relatives regarding what they are accused of (...) When the police entered, they were looking for drugs, weapons, money... and we are humble people who work day to day."
Defense lawyer Orieta Llauca questioned the Public Prosecutor's Office investigation and the manner in which the case has been conducted:
"It was a procedure that seriously violated international treaties (...) in my opinion, there was no need to raid, to point weapons, to invade the private life of the families' homes (...) When, ultimately, they had been investigating for so long, they could have operated with a summons to a hearing because there was no flagrancy."
The plaintiffs in the case include the National Forestry Corporation (Conaf), the State Defense Council, as well as two private companies linked to investment societies and two private individuals.
Precautionary Measures for 8 Accused in Timber Theft Case
The court decreed precautionary measures for eight accused who apparently had a secondary role in the alleged organization. They were placed under full house arrest, national grounding, and prohibited from approaching the involved properties.
During the day, protests were recorded in the Púlpito sector and at the Huitauque roundabout, causing the interruption of Route 5 in southern Chiloé. The protests occurred in parallel with the hearing, with police presence on site to safeguard public order.
Likewise, relatives of the detainees moved to the outskirts of the regional penitentiary center in Puerto Montt, where they await the results of the hearing.
Source:BiobioChile
Comments (0)
No comments yet. Be the first to comment!
Leave a comment