(PFC/IFEX) – The following is a summary translation of PFC’s Spanish-language alert: On 5 November 2002, the Second Criminal Chamber of the Santo Domingo Appeals Court overturned the November 2000 conviction of four individuals implicated in the assassination of journalist Orlando Martínez. The reason given for the decision was that errors had been committed during […]
(PFC/IFEX) – The following is a summary translation of PFC’s Spanish-language alert:
On 5 November 2002, the Second Criminal Chamber of the Santo Domingo Appeals Court overturned the November 2000 conviction of four individuals implicated in the assassination of journalist Orlando Martínez. The reason given for the decision was that errors had been committed during the judicial process.
The journalist was shot to death on 17 March 1975 in the centre of Santo Domingo, after being pursued by members of the army and the police. He is believed to have been killed because of his work and in accordance with then president Joaquín Balaguer’s wish to silence him. Martínez was the director of “íAhora!” magazine and had a column in “El Nacional” newspaper. He exposed corruption cases and was generally very critical of the government.
Accused of having committed the crime are retired general Joaquín Antonio Pou Castro, former Air Forces sergeant Mariano Cabrera Durán, and civilians Rafael Alfredo Lluberes Ricart and Luis Emilio de la Rosa Beras. The four individuals were convicted in 2000 by Judge Jiménez and sentenced to 30 years in prison. Following the annulment of the sentence, the case against the four will remain under the Second Criminal Chamber’s jurisdiction but will be heard by a first instance court.
The 2000 ruling was exemplary at the time and the first step forward in putting an end to the long-standing impunity enjoyed by Dominican Republic military elites. The case was reopened by former judge Juan Miguel Castillo Pantaleon, more than two decades after Martinéz’s murder.
Before he died, former president Balaguer left a blank page in his book “Memorias de un Cortesano de la Era de Trujillo”. Someone was allegedly given the task of filling that page after his death, with his testimony about who had killed Martínez. It may never become clear how involved Balaguer was in the crime, but it is certain that he did try to cover up information. He placed army lawyers in the positions of judges to oversee cases such as the Martínez murder and refused to testify when the case was reopened by Judge Castillo Pantaleon.
For further information on the case, see:
http://portal-pfc.org/perseguidos/2002/096.html
Recommended Action
Send appeals to the Supreme Court chair:
– asking for a prompt and definitive ruling in the Martínez case
– calling for exemplary punishment of those responsible for executing and planning the assassination
Appeals To
Jorge Subero Isa
Supreme Court chair
Fax: +809 532 29
E-mail: suprema.corte@codetel.net.do
Please copy appeals to the source if possible.
