Preventive Prison Rejected for Over 20 Community Members Charged with Alleged Timber Theft in Chonchi

The Castro Guarantee Court rejected the request for preventive prison for more than 20 community members charged with alleged timber theft and land usurpation in the Púlpito sector of Chonchi, after nine days of formalization hearings.

The magistrate decreed precautionary measures such as national confinement, weekly check-ins, and a prohibition from approaching the property in question and the alleged victims, meaning most of the accused were released.

The investigation originated after a large operation involving nearly 300 detectives from the Investigative Police (PDI) in the area, which also led to roadblocks and demonstrations in support of the detainees.

Preventive Prison Rejected for Over 20 Community Members Charged with Alleged Timber Theft in Chonchi

It should be recalled that there are a total of 25 defendants in the case: eight of them were already under total house arrest, while another eight will be released following the court's latest ruling.

However, nine other community members will remain in the Alto Bonito prison in Puerto Montt due to appeals filed by the Prosecutor's Office and the plaintiffs.

These include the National Forestry Corporation, the State Defense Council, and private individuals, which keeps their freedoms suspended until the Court of Appeals rules.

The spokesperson for the families, Francisco Cárdenas, referred to the judge's decision, calling it good news after a long wait in court.

"It has been quite distressing. We are beginning to see results that are favorable for the families. Although this period will be extended, two to three days, we know through the lawyers that it is quite favorable, both in this Court and in Puerto Montt," Cárdenas stated.

At this stage, the court dismissed charges such as criminal association and money laundering, keeping the case, for now, on possible crimes of theft or timber extraction and usurpation.

A 300-day deadline for the investigation was also set. It should be added that among the magistrate's reasoning, deficiencies in a report prepared by the PDI were mentioned.

Source:BiobioChile