Last update: 11:20 pm, January 21, 2022
Main Points of the Day
- Two more witnesses testified for the prosecution this morning: One protected witness that worked with mining company Inversiones Los Pinares and police officer Hector Yosis Turcios that went to the scene of the incident on September 7, 2018 to pick up Santos Hernandez Correa.
- The protected witness described an individual that allegedly fired a weapon that day. According to the witness, the person was shirtless, with black jean pants and his face was covered. This contradicts the description given by another witness, who said the person that allegedly fired a weapon, was wearing a red shirt. The witness also testified that the individual driving the car that alleged detained security supervisor, Santos Hernandez was driving in at the time he was removed by protesters, was driven by someone that everyone called “lieutenant.” [NOTE: It is argued by the defense and the local Municipal Committee that the purpose of the presence of mining company security and employees that day was to provoke community members and initiate violence and/or plant infiltrators to generate violence, which would later be used to criminalize the defenders. This witness testimony provides evidence for such theory if examined from the community’s narrative of the events that day and the broader context of the Aguan Valley, where paramilitary activity is prevalent. Some key Individuals working with the mining company and present on September 7th had received military training and/or are retired military]
- Police officer Turcios testified that Hernandez was uninjured when he picked him up but appeared a bit scared. He also mentioned Juan Lopez, a member of the Municipal Committee in Defense of Common and Public Goods, who was present at the scene. Turcios described Lopez as respectful and helpful in the manner he supported resolving the issue that day.
- None of the witnesses identified any of the accused Guapinol water defenders at the scene or witnessed their participation.
- The trial was suspended at 11 am and convened for Monday at 8:30 am
