In a unanimous ruling, the Second Chamber of the highest court has issued an exemplary sentence against agents of the dissolved Directorate of National Intelligence (DINA). César Manríquez Bravo, Pedro Espinoza Bravo, Miguel Krassnoff Martchenko and Raúl Iturriaga Neumann have been sentenced to 13 years in prison as perpetrators of the crime of kidnapping of sociology student Ariel Martín Salinas Argomedo, committed on September 25, 1974.
This historic decision of the Supreme Court arises after the unanimous rejection of the cassation appeals in form and substance filed by the defenses. The verdict confirms the responsibility of these agents in an atrocious act perpetrated during the darkest years of the military dictatorship.
The sentence also emphasizes the disinformation orchestrated by the DINA, known as “Operation Colombo”, in which the victim’s name was used to hide the true nature of his disappearance. This operation, which sought to cover up the brutality of the crimes committed by the regime, has been unmasked by the perseverance of human rights defenders and the tireless search for truth and justice.
It is important to highlight that the ruling of the Second Chamber not only condemns those directly responsible for the kidnapping, but also revokes the initial acquittal of one of the accused, Manuel Heriberto Avendaño González, who must now face a 10-year prison sentence for his participation in this crime against humanity.
The Supreme Court verdict underscores the importance of justice in a country’s collective memory, as well as the need to be held accountable for crimes committed in the past. This ruling reflects the judicial system’s commitment to truth and reparation for victims and their families, as well as the firm will to ensure that such atrocities are never repeated on our soil.
The resolution of this case not only marks a significant step in the search for justice for the victims of the military regime, but also sends a powerful message that crimes against humanity never have a statute of limitations and that those who participated in their perpetration will be brought to justice. justice, no matter how much time has passed. It is a reminder that historical memory is fundamental for the construction of a just and democratic society, where human rights are respected and protected at all times.
