Owner of Jet Set nightclub arrested after collapse that killed 236 in Santo Domingo
Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel were arrested on Thursday, 12 June, under investigation for involuntary homicide and negligence following the roof collapse at Jet Set.
Espaillat brothers arrested over Jet Set nightclub tragedy in Santo Domingo
Antonio Espaillat, owner of the Jet Set nightclub in Santo Domingo, and his sister Maribel were detained this Thursday, 12 June, according to a report by the Dominican Public Ministry. Both are under investigation for involuntary homicide and negligence related to the roof collapse of the nightclub, which occurred on 8 April, killing 236 people and wounding more than 180.
According to talcualdigital.com, the arrest came after they were questioned by assistant prosecutor Wilson Camacho, head of the General Direction of Prosecution of the Public Ministry, who summoned them to his office at the seat of the General Prosecutor's Office (PGR).
In a statement, the prosecutor's office said that those charged demonstrated "an immense irresponsibility and negligence" by failing to carry out a physical intervention that would have prevented the roof collapse of the establishment.
The Espaillat brothers presented themselves at the PGR accompanied by their lawyers. Their defence attorney, Miguel Valerio, reaffirmed to media and social networks the full cooperation of the family with the ongoing investigations.
The arrest warrant, processed by the assistant prosecutor before an investigating court in the capital, charges both with involuntary homicide under article 319 of the Criminal Code. The accusation alleges that they failed to take necessary measures to ensure that the Jet Set Club roof was intervened "in an appropriate and specialised manner", despite knowing the risk it posed to the public and employees of the establishment.
Following their detention, the accused will be presented before the permanent duty judge in Santo Domingo for the imposition of preventive coercive measures.
To date, relatives of the victims have filed approximately 70 legal actions against the owners of the nightclub.
Source: Google News DO — Santo Domingo