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Article

9 Feb 2019

Author:
Escambray (Cuba)

Honduras: CEO of Energy Development SA is charged for the murder of indigenous activist Berta Caceres; company comments

“Honduras: Investigations Continue on Berta Caceres Murder”, 6th February 2019

Honduran prosecutors formally presented evidence against the CEO of Energy Development SA (DESA) Tuesday for allegedly masterminding the murder of Indigenous environmental activist Berta Caceres in 2016…[T]he Honduran prosecutor’s office presented evidence against Roberto David Castillo Mejia at a preliminary court hearing…Caceres was a[n]…activist against DESA’s construction of a major hydroelectric dam along the Gualcarque River… Hours after his arrest…DESA issued a statement against Castillo’s incarceration calling him “honorable.” “DESA bluntly rejects the accusation against honorable and innocent people, trying to link them with acts that have absolutely no relation to their actions.” The company issued a similar statement in March 2018 when Castillo was accused of the murder of Caceres. “David Castillo, as well as all other DESA employees are totally unconnected to the unfortunate acts that ended the life of Mrs. Berta Caceres. Family members of Caceres and the Civic Council of Popular and Indigenous Organizations of Honduras (Copinh), founded by the activist herself, have long called for a retrial of the case because the presiding judge excluded them from certain parts of the trial. They formally denounced public defenders during the trial for abusing their authority and concealing at least 35 pieces of important evidence against the accused.