NON-FUNCTIONING BOMB DISCOVERED AT PUBLIC MINISTRY

UNCLAS TEGUCIGALPA 002406 SIPDIS DS/IP/WHA - M.FLYNN, DS/ITA - K.HALL, DS/IP/FPO - F.GARDNER, WHA/CEN E.O. 12958: N/A TAGS: ASEC KSAC PGOV KJUS HO SUBJECT: NON-FUNCTIONING BOMB DISCOVERED AT PUBLIC MINISTRY REF: TEGUCIGALPA 2356 ¶1. Summary. At approximately 1000 hours on Friday, October 22, an explosive device was discovered outside the Public Ministry by a guard assigned to that location. The guard contacted the local bomb squad who responded to the scene to evaluate the device. RSO was told by police contact device lacked a power source. End Summary. ¶2. An explosive device was discovered October 22 outside the Public Ministry offices (Attorney General and prosecutors) by a guard assigned to the ministry. The device was in a plastic bag and contained approximately one pound of TNT connected to a wrist watch with wires. Police contacts stated there was no power source such as a battery discovered on the device. Note: RSO is attempting to obtain photographs of the device and if so will forward photographs back to DS headquarters. End Note. Once RSO received information about an explosive device being discovered embassy local guard force (LGF) was alerted. LGF conducted a sweep of the inside as well as the outside perimeter of the embassy facility with negative results. ¶3. RSO believes the device was planted in conjunction with the firing of several public prosecutors on Thursday. This issue stems from the GOH dismissal of over 100 cases involving corruption which included cases involving the former president of Honduras (reftel and septel). RSO believes that this device was placed outside the ministry to bring more attention on this issue which has been covered extensively in the press the last few days. With police contacts saying no power source was found the device could not function yet, it sent a message that some people are not in agreement with the decision to dismiss these corruption cases and fire the prosecutors. RSO believes the TNT was likely stolen from one of the many mine sites located around the country. Once again, if RSO can obtain photographs Post will have a better idea of the devices make up and where the explosives came from. ¶4. Should you have further questions/comments please contact RSO Lizzi. 3 Palmer