Young man charged with attempted femicide at the Faculty of Medicine in Montevideo
A 19-year-old man was formally charged with attempted femicide following the attack that occurred on 1 September at the Faculty of Medicine annex. The court ordered 180 days of preventive detention.
Young man charged with attempted femicide following attack at the Faculty of Medicine
A 19-year-old man was formally charged on Wednesday 16 September before the Second Shift Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence Prosecution in Montevideo with the offence of attempted femicide, according to gub.uy. The court imposed 180 days of preventive detention as a precautionary measure, of which the first 30 days will be served whilst hospitalised at Vilardebó hospital.
Police investigation and evidence
The Director of the Domestic Violence and Gender Department, Richard Gutiérrez, stressed the importance of "reaffirming the National Police's commitment to investigating such acts from a gender perspective." He also emphasised the coordinated work between the National Police and the Prosecution, which enabled the gathering of various items of evidence that supported the initial hypothesis of attempted femicide.
As part of the investigation, examinations were carried out by the Scientific Police, analysis of the crime scene and mobile devices was conducted, and statements were collected from students and members of the victim's family. Statements were also obtained from classmates of the accused who attended Salinas secondary school, in accordance with the proceedings requested by the Prosecution.
Legal classification according to prosecutor Pacheco
Prosecutor Luis Pacheco explained that the classification of attempted femicide is based on the characteristics of the attack, the weapon used, the number of wounds inflicted and the vital areas of the body at which they were directed. According to Pacheco, these elements demonstrate an intention to cause death.
The prosecutor further specified that the femicide charge applies in this case because, in accordance with the evidence gathered by the Prosecution, motives linked to hatred, contempt or disregard towards the victim because of her status as a woman were present. Pacheco clarified that the 180 days of preventive detention constitute a precautionary measure and not the final sentence, which will be determined once the various stages of the criminal proceedings are completed.
Coordination between Police and University of the Republic
Following the attack that occurred on 1 September at the Faculty of Medicine annex, the Montevideo Police Headquarters established a joint working arrangement with the authorities of the University of the Republic (Udelar), the Faculty of Medicine and the student union, with the aim of strengthening safety and prevention conditions in university spaces.
The work is led by the Head of Montevideo Police, Commissioner General Alfredo Clavijo, and operates along two main lines. The first focuses on advising on physical and environmental security matters in the Faculty of Medicine buildings, with a report in preparation that will include specific recommendations drawn up with the participation of Community Police officers.
The second line addresses the gender perspective to strengthen institutional tools in response to situations of violence and discrimination. Within this framework, the Domestic Violence and Gender Department (DDEVDyG) participates in three concrete actions: the review of Udelar's regulations and its protocols for addressing situations of violence; the production of audiovisual material on reporting mechanisms, already available on the Faculty of Medicine and Udelar platforms; and the holding of workshops aimed at students, teaching staff and non-teaching personnel on tools for access to justice and action in response to gender-based violence.
Gutiérrez noted that several coordination meetings between the teams have already taken place and that the workshops will begin to be implemented shortly in a joint effort between Montevideo Police Headquarters, the DDEVDyG and the Faculty of Medicine.
Available reporting channels
In emergency situations, members of the public can contact 911. It is also possible to file reports in person at the Specialised Domestic Violence and Gender-Based Violence Police Stations or at any police station. Additionally, the 0800 5000 helpline is available and there is the option to file reports online through the Interior Ministry's website.
Source: Google News UY — Montevideo