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News > Latin America

Hydroelectric Exec Sent to Preventive Prison for Caceres Murder

  • Protesters demanding justice for the murder of Berta Caceres

    Protesters demanding justice for the murder of Berta Caceres | Photo: EFE

Published 12 March 2018
Opinion

Berta Caceres, a 43-year-old teacher who won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, was shot dead at her home on the night of March 2, 2016.

A high-ranking executive of a hydroelectric company was sent to preventive prison Monday on charges of helping plan the murder of Indigenous environmental activist Berta Caceres two years ago.

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Berta Caceres' Husband: Honduran State Still Covers Up Murderers

Robert David Castillo, executive president of Desarrollos Energeticos (DESA), was arrested earlier this month at an airport in the north of the country. DESA had been pushing for the construction of a dam that was opposed by Caceres.

According to the investigation, Castillo was in charge of providing logistics and other material resources to one of the perpetrators already prosecuted for the crime.

In a statement, DESA denied involvement in the crime, saying Castillo is "innocent" and rejecting "this decision that comes from international pressure and smear campaigns of various NGOs on the company."

Caceres, a 43-year-old teacher who won the prestigious Goldman Environmental Prize, was shot dead at her home on the night of March 2, 2016. 

Castillo is the second alleged mastermind arrested in connection with her murder. Eight other people, including company employees, hired assassins and members of the army have also been arrested and tried. 

Repeated confrontations have occurred between Indigenous populations and mining and hydroelectric operations. President Juan Orlando Hernandez, who won reelection in December in a vote marred by fraud allegations, has sought to boost investment in such ventures.

Members of the activist group that Caceres led gathered earlier this month in front of prosecutors' offices in the capital to demand the arrest of more prominent local businessmen they allege are connected to the crime.

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