COURT SENDS MARÍA DEL ROSARIO MELGAR TO TRIAL IN EL INFIERNITO CASE

Guatemala, January 10, 2013. Court A for High-risk Matters ruled today to send María del Rosario Melgar Martínez to trial for the extrajudicial killing of Edwin Estuardo Santa Cruz Rodríguez. The latter had escaped from the El Infiernito prison in 2005.

Judge Carol Patricia Flores found sufficient evidence against the accused to bring her to justice. The Judge made the decision after analyzing the documentary and testimonial evidence presented by the Public Prosecutor's Office (MP) and the International Commission against Impunity in Guatemala (CICIG) at the pre-trial hearing to open oral arguments.

According to investigations, the authorities located the inmate in the department of Zacapa and simulated a confrontation in order to murder him. Melgar Martínez allegedly took part in the operation by blocking the flow of traffic at Kilometer 106.5 with her vehicle, preventing individuals from passing by whilst the act was being conducted. The accused was working as an assistant to Víctor Rivera, Ministry of the Interior advisor, at the time.

In these criminal proceedings, CICIG is providing technical support.

Another proceeding
Melgar Martínez is also facing a second case regarding the death of Víctor Rivera; she is charged with criminal association and murder. The events in question took place on April 7, 2008 on Vista Hermosa Boulevard, Zone 15 of the capital.

The accused was deported on October 30, 2012 to the United States. Prior to that, she had absconded from the justice system for more than one year.