Ex-soldier who struck security guard with knuckle dusters in Urubó released after remaining silent
Pedro José R. V. P. appeared before the Porongo Prosecutor's Office, remained silent and was not arrested. His victim, Alfonso Flores, reports serious injuries and institutional abandonment.
Accused of attacking guard in Porongo condominium declares while free
The ex-soldier identified as Pedro José R. V. P., accused of striking security guard Alfonso Flores Chuvé with knuckle dusters inside a condominium in the Urubó area, appeared this Wednesday before the Porongo Prosecutor's Office accompanied by three lawyers and chose to remain silent. According to El Deber, prosecutor Franz Delgadillo did not issue an arrest warrant against him, so the accused left at liberty.
The informative statement is part of the investigation opened into the assault on 27 August, when Flores was working as a guard at the Bella Vista condominium. According to the complaint, the ex-soldier entered the premises with three other people and confronted the worker, whom he accused of having stolen jewellery of high value from his residence.
The victim recounted that the accused's companions closed the door to prevent his escape while he was being struck. "While he was hitting me, he told me he was going to kill me because his jewels were worth more than my life," Flores declared, as reproduced by his lawyer Rolando Salvatierra. The guard claims to have suffered fractures and blows to the ribs, head and legs.
Flores also maintained that he was able to prove his innocence regarding the alleged theft, by presenting evidence that would show he was working at the condominium at the time the reported incident occurred. The victim's defence also notes that the condominium's security cameras recorded the entry of the ex-soldier and his companions, the alleged assault and the subsequent departure of the group.
Lawyer Salvatierra reported that he delivered photographs and videos related to the case to the Prosecutor's Office. However, he questioned that to date the images have not been examined. According to his account, the Police and Prosecutor's Office removed the DVR containing the recordings, but the material has apparently not yet been sent to the Technical-Scientific Research Institute of the Police University (IITCUP) for analysis.
The case also generated questions about the initial actions of prosecutor Delgadillo, who initially dismissed the complaint filed by Flores on the grounds that the facts constituted an atypical case and that no crime had occurred. The guard's defence objected to that decision and maintains its request that the assault be investigated and the involvement of the other persons identified be examined.
Following the accused's appearance, Salvatierra described the Prosecutor's Office's actions as "humiliating". "We have objected to the rejection of the complaint, while the guard is abandoned to his fate," the lawyer stated, also expressing concern about his client's legal situation.
The investigation must determine the circumstances of the assault, the extent of the reported injuries and the possible responsibility of the ex-soldier and the other three people identified by the victim.
Source: El Deber