Identifier
Created
Classification
Origin
09PRAIA10
2009-01-22 17:22:00
UNCLASSIFIED
Embassy Praia
Cable title:  

CORRECTED COPY: THIRD CASE OF RELEASED MURDERER SHOCKS CAPE

Tags:  SNAR PREL KJUS PGOV CV 
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R 221722Z JAN 09
FM AMEMBASSY PRAIA
TO SECSTATE WASHDC 1640
INFO JIATF SOUTH
AMEMBASSY ROME 
AMEMBASSY THE HAGUE 
DIA WASHINGTON DC
AMEMBASSY PRAIA
UNCLAS PRAIA 000010 


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL KJUS PGOV CV
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: THIRD CASE OF RELEASED MURDERER SHOCKS CAPE
VERDEAN SOCIETY

REF: 08 Praia 227

UNCLAS PRAIA 000010


E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: SNAR PREL KJUS PGOV CV
SUBJECT: CORRECTED COPY: THIRD CASE OF RELEASED MURDERER SHOCKS CAPE
VERDEAN SOCIETY

REF: 08 Praia 227


1. (SBU) According to the local press, an individual convicted
of triple murder in Holland and sentenced to 25 years in a Cape
Verdean jail, is set to be released due to a judicial error.
The prisoner, who is currently being held awaiting appeal, by
law must be released if the Supreme Court of Justice (SCJ) does
not submit a final ruling on his appeal by the legal deadline,
reportedly at the end of this week. Post has been told that the
most senior levels of law enforcement are actively engaged in
this matter, working furiously to ensure that this exceptionally
ruthless and dangerous convict is not released.


2. (U) If this convicted murderer is released, this would be
the third such early release in recent weeks, all due to similar
failures by the judiciary to act within the timeframes
stipulated by law. The first case involved three judiciary
police officers accused of stealing 120 kilograms of cocaine
from an evidence locker, who were released while awaiting trial.
The second case, which scandalized Cape Verdean society,
involved the release of two individuals convicted of the 2007
murders of two Italian tourists. Both are now back in jail,
reportedly at their own request, after receiving numerous death
threats following their release. In the meantime, the Supreme
Court acted has quickly to decide the pending appeal,
subsequently upholding the original convictions while reducing
the sentences from 25 to 24 years imprisonment.


3. (U) COMMENT. The brutal 2007 murders of two vacationing
female Italian tourists shocked this country and made news
internationally, damaging Cape Verde's reputation in the highly
lucrative Italian tourism market. The release of their
murderers on a technicality shocked Cape Verdean society and
created an uproar. The Supreme Court is scrambling to remedy
the situation before public and political pressure becomes too
great. That another criminal might slip through the judicial
cracks is deeply worrisome and only raises more questions about
the state of judicial affairs in Cape Verde, and the significant
reforms needed before real change will be seen in the justice
system. Information about planned reforms will be reported
septel. END COMMENT

MYLES