PM officers turn up for preliminary hearing in Aragua State Court

<a href=www.vheadline.com>Venezuela's Electronic News Posted: Friday, April 25, 2003 By: Patrick J. O'Donoghue

Eight (8) Metropolitan Police (PM) officers accused of shooting and killing two persons during the April 11, 2002  disturbances in Caracas have handed themselves over to the Aragua police ... PM commander, Henry Vivas who upholds the men's innocence, accompanied them under heavy armed guard.

Corporals, Jose Arube Perez and Ramon Zapata, Sergeants (second class)  Rafael Nazoa and Julio Ramon Rodriguez, Sub-commissioner Marcos Hurtado, Chief Inspector Hector Jose Robaina and agent, Luis Enrique Molina Serrada stand accused of killing Erasmo Enrique sanchez and Rudy Urbano Duque and injuring another 35 persons. 

It is not certain whether there is in fact another unnamed officer or whether Vivas himself has been charged as commanding officer. 

The officers' lawyer, Jose Rafael Parra says the prosecution's arguments do not tally. "There were two victims each hit with one bullet ... so how is it possible that 8 officers only fired two shots? ... it means that all of them killed the two persons." 

The defense is arguing against putting their clients in prison until the trial comes up, alleging that there is no danger of them fleeing the country because they continue to exercise their functions in the police force. 

• The officers are charged with qualified homicide complicity, personal injuries ranging from light to serious, inappropriate use of war weapons.

State prosecutor Danilo Anderson says he wants the court to impose preventive arrest and does not understand why the accused are allowed on duty as active service police officers.