Chile Closes Victor Jara Case

Mon19May2008

Chile Closes Victor Jara Case

11:31 H | Topics: Activism - Chile - Controversia - Justice - Latin America

In a shocking move, a Chilean judge has closed the investigation into the death of iconic activist singer Victor Jara, tortured gunned down in 1973 by the dictatorship:

With just one person tried, judge Juan Eduardo Fuentes Belmar closed the investigation phase of the case of the crime against Victor Jara, which took place in September of 1973.

However, it's probable that the appeals court will force the magistrate to reopen the investigation, as the plaintiff will appeal the closing [of the case].

The widow, Joan Jara, said yesterday that she was "shocked" by Fuentes' decision, while the plaintiff's attorney, Nelson Caucoto said that there are still other officials who participated in the torture and murder of the mythic singer, as well as the murderer himself, who still have not been identified.

It's pretty sad Chile has such a hard time prosecuting the perpetrators of the crimes committed in its dark history.

Via / La Nación