The High Risk Court B postponed to July 28 the continuation of the trial against seven former police officers accused of the extrajudicial execution of Milton Nelson Santamaría and Eldin Leonel Choc Xi, events that occurred in April 2024 in San Andrés Itzapa, Chimaltenango.
During the hearing this Friday, July 14, of the five witnesses cited, three excused themselves and did not appear. Given this situation, the court incorporated documentary evidence into the debate, which was read in the courtroom.
In addition, the court reminded the Attorney General’s Office (PGN) that it must coordinate the presence of a delegate for the visual inspection scheduled for July 31 at the property where the police headquarters operated. According to the accusation, there the victims were subjected to beatings and torture.
Former sub-inspector of the National Civil Police (PNC) Edy Leonel Vásquez Rabanales, Yorleni Lisbeth Macario Ramos, Yulisa Nabely Ayala Yol, Mauricio Abraham Contreras Salán and Fredy Santiago Velásquez Pérez are being tried for the crime of extrajudicial execution.
In addition, Jeremías Jacobo Rojas faces proceedings for abuse of authority, breach of duties and denial of assistance, while Ángel Vásquez Sajbochol is tried for breach of duties, obstruction of criminal action, failure to report and failure to provide assistance.
The MP investigation
According to the investigation by the Public Ministry (MP), Milton Nelson Santamaría, a Canadian citizen, and Eldin Leonel Choc Xi were captured in April 2024 and were subsequently victims of torture before their death.
During the first statement hearing, held on August 13, 2024, the Prosecutor’s Office stated that one of the motivations for the crime would have been an act of homophobia.
As part of the evidence presented at that hearing, the MP played four recordings obtained by a witness who remained near the place where the attacks allegedly occurred. In one of the audios, Choc Xi is heard asking for help.
After that procedure, the judge linked former sub-inspector Edy Leonel Vásquez Rabanales to criminal proceedings for the crime of extrajudicial execution and imposed preventive detention on him.
Vásquez Rabanales was deported to Guatemala on August 5, 2024 by United States authorities, after being captured on June 11 of that year in Arizona. According to US authorities, he entered that country irregularly when he was already wanted in Guatemala for his alleged participation in the deaths of both victims.
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