Cablegate: Parlacen Murder Update: 16 Prison Guards Released

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RR RUEHWEB

DE RUEHGT #2121 2971321
ZNR UUUUU ZZH
R 241321Z OCT 07
FM AMEMBASSY GUATEMALA
TO RUEHC/SECSTATE WASHDC 4171
INFO RUEHZA/WHA CENTRAL AMERICAN COLLECTIVE
RUEHME/AMEMBASSY MEXICO 4621
RHMFIUU/CDR USSOUTHCOM MIAMI FL
RHMCSUU/FBI WASHINGTON DC
RHMFISS/DEPT OF JUSTICE WASHDC
RHEHNSC/NSC WASHDC

UNCLAS GUATEMALA 002121

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SAN SALVADOR FOR LEGATT
NSC FOR DAN FISK

E.O. 12958: N/A
TAGS: KCRM SNAR PGOV PHUM KJUS ASEC ES GT
SUBJECT: PARLACEN MURDER UPDATE: 16 PRISON GUARDS RELEASED
FOR INSUFFICIENT EVIDENCE

REF: GUATEMALA 861 AND PREVIOUS

1. Sixteen prison guards, accused of facilitating the
February 25 murder of four National Civil Police (PNC)
officers in El Boqueron prison, were released for
insufficient evidence. The four murdered PNC officers had
been incarcerated in the maximum security prison in Santa
Rosa as suspects in the February 19 murder of three
Salvadoran parliamentarians and their driver (reftel).

2. A judge in Santa Rosa ordered the release of the 16 prison
guards and dismissal of the case in response to a request
from the Public Ministry following an investigation of the
murder. The guards were accused of facilitating access to
the PNC officers.

3. According to spokesperson Luis Castro, the Public Ministry
requested the release of the prison guards and dismissal of
the case for insufficient evidence. Reportedly, the guards
were on duty on the day of the murder but were in a rest area
and not in the detention area of the prison.

4. The Director and Deputy Director of El Boqueron prison and
13 alleged gang members remain in custody in connection with
the murder. The case against the alleged gang members is
scheduled to begin later this month.
Derham

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