PBI-Guatemala accompanies BDH at hearing of former military commissioner accused of 150+ human rights violations

On January 16, the Peace Brigades International-Guatemala Project posted, “Today we accompanied the BDH to the first declaration hearing of Juan Alecio Samayoa Cabrera, former military commissioner in the municipality of Chinique, Quiché.”

“Samayoa Cabrea is accused of crimes of murder, attempted murder, violation with aggravation of the penalty, illegal detentions and duties against humanity, for events in the Tululché estate, municipality of Chiché in 1982.”

PBI-Guatemala adds, “Judge Susana Elizabeth Pérez Cabrera dictated lack of merit, arguing insufficient evidence, and ordered his immediate release.”

On January 15, the International Justice Monitor posted, “The first case scheduled to be heard in 2020 involves Juan Alecio Samayoa Cabrera, a former chief military commissioner in the municipality of Chinique, department of El Quiché.”

“Samayoa lived for 25 years in the United States, effectively evading an indictment handed down by Guatemalan prosecutors against him in 1992. However, he was arrested in Providence, Rhode Island in 2017 and deported to the Guatemala last November. Authorities immediately detained him.”

“Samayoa is accused of more than 150 human rights violations between 1982 and 1983 in the department of El Quiché.”

“The first declaration hearing, originally scheduled for December 20, 2019, was rescheduled for January 16, in Santa Cruz, the capital of El Quiché department.”

In the International Justice Monitor article The Future of Accountability Efforts in Guatemala in the Balance as New Hard-Line Government Takes Office, IJM expresses the concern, “Given [President Alejandro Giammattei, who took office on January 14] alleged ties to these groups [Illegal Clandestine Security Apparatuses, the Association of Military Veterans of Guatemala, and The Brotherhood], there may be a renewed effort to revive an effort to provide to those accused or convicted of war crimes, genocide, or crimes against humanity.”

BDH is a group of lawyers who represent those whose human rights have been violated. It has been accompanied by PBI-Guatemala since 2013.