ACCUSATIONS OF WRONGDOING PLAGUE HONDURAN CHIEF OF

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002970

SIPDIS

SENSITIVE

STATE FOR INL/C/CP, DRL/PHD, WHA/PPC, AND WHA/CEN

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: PGOV KJUS KCRM PHUM SOCI PINR HO
SUBJECT: ACCUSATIONS OF WRONGDOING PLAGUE HONDURAN CHIEF OF
POLICE


1. (U) On December 10, Aida Romero, Special Prosecutor for
Human Rights, accused Chief of Police, Coralia Rivera Ramos,
Commissioner Mirna Suazo, and the assistant to the Minister
of Public Security, Juan Manuel Aguilar, with obstruction of
justice and abuse of power. According to the prosecutor,
these officials were responsible for the destruction of six
AK-47s, which were being held as evidence in pending
investigations of various alleged extrajudicial killings.


2. (U) According to press reports, the investigation showed
that both Sauzo and Aguilar directly participated in the
destruction of the weapons. Afterwards, it is presumed that
the Chief of Police directed a "cover-up" and instructed
those involved to lie to investigators.


3. (SBU) Post had heard that the Police Internal Affairs
office had completed its recommendation for criminal
investigation and prosecution and had numerous more serious
charges to file, including: charges against Ramos for
conspiracy in the murder of alleged kidnappers, obstruction
of justice (for attempting to cover up the ordering of a
murder as well as the destruction of evidence),
misappropriation of funds, and abuse of power; Sauzo was to
be formally charged for conspiracy in the murder of alleged
kidnappers, obstruction of justice (for attempting to cover
up the ordering of the destruction of evidence),and the
misappropriation of funds. It is not clear why these more
serious charges were not filed.


4. (U) According to Human Rights Commissioner Ramon Custodio,
the results of the investigation have been known to the
Public Ministry since last year. Custodio has stated
publicly that action against these individuals should have
been taken well before now to prevent Honduras from being
known around the world as a country where impunity impedes
the rule of law.


5. (SBU) COMMENT: If Custodio's accusations are accurate,
this demonstrates yet again the reluctance within the Public
Ministry to prosecute high-ranking officials. Also, as
previously mentioned, it had been reported to Post that
charges brought against these individuals would include
conspiracy charges. It now appears that by dropping the more
serious charges, the accused will receive little more than a
slap on the wrist, if they are convicted. END COMMENT.
Palmer