On June 9, the Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project posted: “PBI accompanied the Human Rights Law Firm (BDH) on the seventh day of the first statement hearing in the Military Journal Case. Today they are waiting for the judge’s decision on whether criminal proceedings against the six accused will proceed.”

Prensa Libre explains: “Six of those accused by the Human Rights Prosecutor’s Office of the Public Prosecutor’s Office could know this Wednesday, June 9, if they will face criminal proceedings for the accusations in the Military Journal case, which is taking place in the Court of Greater Risk B in charge of Miguel Ángel Gálvez.”

That article adds: “These are former military personnel accused of having participated in the disappearance, torture, and death of at least 183 people during the years 1983 to 1985, including trade union and student leaders.”

Ruda further notes that the Military Journal itself is “a record of the names, photographs, and addresses of men and women who were arrested, detained, disappeared and murdered. The list includes students, university professors, trade unionists, and members of social organizations that the Army identified as allies of the guerrillas.”

Updates

At 1:13 pm, journalist Jody Garcia tweeted: “Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez begins with the analysis of what was discussed in the seven-day hearing of the first statement. The MP [Public Ministry] asked to send the six retired soldiers to trial. Their defenders called for the lack of merit and that they be released.”

At 2:37 pm, NISGUA tweeted: “Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez begins his resolution in the Military Journal Case. He will determine whether the first 6 defendants will undergo criminal proceedings for the crimes of murder, attempted murder, forced disappearance, and crimes against humanity.”

At 4:21 pm, Famdegua tweeted: “Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez affirms that there is sufficient rational evidence and dictates an act of prosecution to the six former soldiers, for the crimes charged by the [Public Ministry].”

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Earlier in the day, Garcia tweeted: “Outside the family courts of victims ask for justice.” Outside the Palace of Justice (photo by Plaza Publica).

Tweet by Verdad Justicia; “Judge Miguel Ángel Gálvez dictates indictment to Jacobo Esdras Salan Sánchez.”

PBI-Guatemala began to accompany BDH lawyer Édgar Pérez Archila in August 2010 due to several security incidents. In 2013, PBI-Guatemala extended the accompaniment to the other lawyers of the BDH who work on high-profile trials.

#CasoDiarioMilitar

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