Head of Uruguayan Army questions delay of justice in Berríos case

SANTIAGO.- Just minutes after meeting with President Michelle Bachelet at La Moneda governmental palace, the Commander-in-Chief of the Uruguayan Army, Jorge Rosales, questioned what, is in his opinion, delay on the part of the Chilean justice system.  He refers to the investigation being carried out by Minister Alejandro Madrid of the death of chemist Eugenio Berríos, for which three Uruguayan soldiers were extradited to Chile in 2006.

“For me, the issue is beyond me.  We completely respect the justice system and they are here at the request of the Chilean justice system, nevertheless, it is difficult for us to understand why a year has already passed and there is no hearing date”, said Rosales.

Rosales´ questions went even further, saying that he simply does not understand “why they are not allowed to travel when they are not in custody here”. 

After hearing about the criticism from the Uruguayan Commander-in-Chief at La Moneda, the minister of Defense, José Goñi, reiterated that the matter is “strictly judicial”.