Trial Date Established for El Salvador Journalists’ Murder Case

The trial for the murder of four Dutch journalists in 1982 will commence on April 23, 2025. Former Defense Minister General José Guillermo García and two colonels face charges related to the ambush. The trial marks a significant advancement towards achieving justice for the victims, rooted in extensive evidence since the case began in 2018.

A trial date has been established for the prosecution of former Defense Minister of El Salvador, General José Guillermo García, along with two other colonels, concerning the murder of four Dutch journalists in 1982. The significant proceedings will commence on April 23, 2025, following an announcement from two NGOs. The journalists—Jan Cornelius Kuiper Joop, Koos Jacobus Andries Koster, Hans Lodewijk ter Laag, and Johannes Jan Willemsen—were killed on March 17, 1982, during a military ambush in Chalatenango while covering the Salvadoran civil war (1980-1992).

This upcoming phase of the trial is deemed historic and is expected to last approximately one week. NGOs, including the Salvadoran Association for Human Rights, are plaintiffs in this important case. Among the accused, General Garcia, aged 91, and Colonel Francisco Antonio Morán, aged 93, are currently detained in a private hospital in the capital. The third accused, Mario Reyes Mena, now 85 and residing in the United States, has been ordered for extradition by the Salvadoran Supreme Court.

Lawyer Pedro Cruz, representing the victims’ families, noted that the final hearing will assess evidence gathered throughout a legal process that began in 2018. This hearing will be conducted by the Court of First Instance of Dulce Nombre de María, situated 78 kilometers north of San Salvador. Notably, the presence of Colonel Reyes at the hearing is not mandatory. A UN-created Truth Commission in 1993 had previously determined that the journalists’ deaths resulted from a premeditated ambush orchestrated by Colonel Reyes with the knowledge of other officials.

In summary, the trial concerning the murder of the four Dutch journalists in El Salvador is approaching a crucial phase, set to begin on April 23, 2025. The case, which has seen significant development since its initiation in 2018, involves prominent former military leaders facing accusations based on evidence that has been compiled over the years. This trial marks a pivotal moment in the pursuit of justice for the victims and their families.

Original Source: ticotimes.net