Riot at Buenos Aires Detention Centre 1: Hostage Police Officer Released
A group of detainees took a police officer hostage at Detention Centre 1 in downtown Buenos Aires. The officer was released after 5.20 p.m. following hours of tension.
Detainees Take Police Officer Hostage in Buenos Aires City Centre
A violent riot broke out on Thursday at Detention Centre 1 in Buenos Aires, located at Lavalle 400 in the heart of the city centre. According to cadena3.com, a group of prisoners took a police officer hostage; after several hours of tension, the officer was released after 5.20 p.m., whilst City Police personnel continued working to regain control of the facility.
City Police sources informed Infobea that there was no risk of escape and that, at the time of publication, no injuries had been reported among those involved.
Videos Recorded by Prisoners Themselves Showed the Situation
The hostage-taking became known through recordings made by the detainees themselves inside the cell and circulated during the conflict. The images showed the police officer sitting on a bunk bed, surrounded by several inmates. "Look at the 'cobani', we have him over there," one of the prisoners said in one of the recordings.
Other images showed a man in handcuffs alongside the officer and another detainee lying on the ground, apparently injured. No information was given as to why that prisoner had been restrained nor was it confirmed that he had suffered wounds. As the conflict escalated, footage also circulated of inmates breaking down doors and bars inside the facility.
In another moment captured on video, the detainees demanded the presence of a prosecutor.
Demands: Transfer and Better Accommodation Conditions
During the afternoon, one of the prisoners communicated by telephone with channel LN+ and described what the group's demands were. According to his account, 31 people were involved in the situation and were seeking for the authorities to offer to transfer them to another detention centre.
"We have no food, we have nothing," said the detainee, who said he was imprisoned for aggravated robbery. He also complained about problems with sanitary facilities and food quality, and asserted that they did not have showers or bathrooms in proper condition. "We are waiting for someone with a proposal to see if they can take us to another detention centre with better conditions for our companions," he said.
The same man assured that the retained police officer was well, that he was drinking water and smoking a cigarette. That description corresponded to his testimony during the conflict and did not replace official information about the officer's condition.
The partner of another of the detainees also spoke to the media. According to her account, her husband had warned her in advance that a riot could occur and had asked her to notify his mother and his lawyer.
Operation with Special Groups, Negotiators and Psychologists
Given the seriousness of the situation, the City Police deployed personnel to restore order. Officers from the Special Operations Division (DOEM) entered the premises, along with a negotiator and psychologists. Members of the Urban Containment Operations Department (DOUC) were also involved.
Ambulances from SAME and fire brigade units were positioned in the vicinity, whilst various officers entered and exited the building.
Around 4 p.m., a journalist from A24 was taken inside the facility. According to reports, the authorities asked him to transmit a request to television channels to remove the drones flying over the building.
Finally, after 5.20 p.m., the police officer who had been held hostage was released. Tasks to regain full control of the detention centre were continuing at the time of going to print.
Source: Google News AR — Buenos Aires