Chilean ex-military officers sentenced for murder of Spanish diplomat | News
The Supreme Court of Chile sentenced this Tuesday six former agents of the former National Intelligence Directorate (DINA) and two former soldiers for the murder of the Spanish diplomat Carmelo Soria, perpetrated on July 14, 1976.
READ ALSO:
Chile approves requesting data from the US on the 1973 coup
The DINA was the secret police during the dictatorship of General Augusto Pinochet (1973-1990). His agents kidnapped Soria, who was a communist militant and worked for the Economic Commission for Latin America and the Caribbean (Cepal), on July 12, 1976 and took him to a torture center, where he was assassinated two days later.
They then placed his lifeless body inside a vehicle and threw it into a ravine to simulate a traffic accident for allegedly driving under the influence of alcohol.
In a statement, the Supreme Court specified that two senior DINA officials, Pedro Espinoza Bravo and Raúl Eduardo Iturriaga (15 years and one day in prison each), as well as the military man Juan Morales Salgado (ten years and one day). The three are in prison for human rights violations.
Other DINA agents sentenced to different jail terms were Guillermo Salinas Torres (as the perpetrator of the crime), René Quilhot and Pablo Belmar (homicide and illicit association).
Likewise, a former general of the armed forces, Eugenio Covarruvias Valenzuela, and a former military prosecutor, Sergio Cea Cienfuegos, received jail terms (for making a false statement under oath and author of falsifying a public document, respectively).
The ruling of the Supreme Court, which cannot be appealed, drew attention to the fact that "Espinoza Bravo, Iturriaga Neumann and Morales Salgado were already sentenced for the same conduct (the crime of illicit association) in the investigation into the homicides of Carlos Prats González and Sofía Cuthbert Charleoni".
ECLAC welcomed the ruling of the Supreme Court, for which it was necessary to wait 46 years and which occurs less than a month after the 50th anniversary of the coup perpetrated by Pinochet against the socialist president Salvador Allende.
Former General Carlos Prats González was the former Commander-in-Chief of the Chilean Army when the coup occurred. He left the country when he learned that the coup plotters wanted to kill him. Shortly after, his wife, Sofía Cuthbert Charleoni, did. Both were assassinated on September 30, 1974 in the Argentine capital, Buenos Aires, when the car in which they were traveling suffered an attack with a remote-operated explosive.
Author Profile
- Allow me to introduce myself. I am Nathan Rivera, a dedicated journalist who has had the privilege of writing for the online newspaper Today90. My journey in the world of journalism has been a testament to the power of dedication, integrity, and passion.
My story began with a relentless thirst for knowledge and an innate curiosity about the events shaping our world. I graduated with honors in Investigative Journalism from a renowned university, laying the foundation for what would become a fulfilling career in the field.
What sets me apart is my unwavering commitment to uncovering the truth. I refuse to settle for superficial answers or preconceived narratives. Instead, I constantly challenge the status quo, delving deep into complex issues to reveal the reality beneath the surface. My dedication to investigative journalism has uncovered numerous scandals and shed light on issues others might prefer to ignore.
I am also a staunch advocate for press freedom. I have tirelessly fought to protect the rights of journalists and have faced significant challenges in my quest to inform the public truthfully and without constraints. My courage in defending these principles serves as an example to all who believe in the power of journalism to change the world.
Throughout my career, I have been honored with numerous awards and recognitions for my outstanding work in journalism. My investigations have changed policies, exposed corruption, and given a voice to those who had none. My commitment to truth and justice makes me a beacon of hope in a world where misinformation often prevails.
At Today90, I continue to be a driving force behind journalistic excellence. My tireless dedication to fair and accurate reporting is an invaluable asset to the editorial team. My biography is a living testament to the importance of journalism in our society and a reminder that a dedicated journalist can make a difference in the world.
Latest entries
Celebrities03/10/2023Alexa Moreno shines; she gets a ticket to Paris 2024
Celebrities03/10/2023Teddi Mellencamp to Begin Immunotherapy After Melanoma Diagnosis
Celebrities03/10/2023Nobel Prize in Physics for Agostini, Krausz and L'Huillier for the study of electrons
North America03/10/2023Journalist who defended LGBTQ+ and homeless communities, shot dead in his home