Kidnapped Honduran Journalist Anibal Barrow
On Friday, police arrested Delmer Donael Durán Banegas (21), Ibis Laurent Lara Pereira (24), Gustavo Armando Durán Banegas (23), and José Hernán Díaz Mejía (44) on suspicion of kidnapping. The latter two received additional charges of illegal possession of firearms. On Saturday, at the night shift of Court, proceedings began to hear the plea of the accused, but they declined to testify before the court. The public prosecutor requested an injunction that the suspects be kept in judicial custody since the offense carries a penalty. The judge sent the accused to San Pedro Sula Prison, and set the initial hearing for Wednesday, July 10th, at 9:00 am.
More Suspects in Barrow Kidnapping
Yesterday evening, the Public Ministry in San Pedro Sula announced there were more suspects apprehended for involvement in the crime against Globo TV personality, Aníbal Barrow.
Diana Elvir, Regional Coordinator the Public Ministry, reported that thanks to investigations of the National Directorate of Special Investigation Services (DNSEI – Dirección Nacional de Servicios Especiales de Investigación) and the special unit, Panel Antisecuestros (GEAS – Grupo Especial Antisecuestros), more youths were linked with the crime. They were identified by police as Héctor Noel Baquedano Galindo, Heber Natanael Mendoza Contreras, Denis Omar Ramírez Martínez, and one (unnamed) minor.
Police Continue Search for Anibal Barrow.
Police Continue Search for Anibal Barrow
Authorities continue to search for clues leading to the whereabouts of the kidnapped broadcast journalist, who holds a degree in Economics from the National Autonomous University of Honduras. Relatives of Barrow have made repeated pleas to the kidnappers, through the media, to ensure he is provided with his daily medications, which are needed for diabetes and high blood pressure.
The prosecution has offered a reward to anyone who provides information on his whereabouts. Barrow was taken by force on June 24, 2013.
“We are offering a cash reward to the person who provides information and guides us to the immediate location of journalist Aníbal Barrow,” Regional Coordinator of the Public Ministry, Diana Elvir announced.
The prosecutor said that the information and the name of the informants will be kept in strict confidence. Elvir added that people who have information can call the phone number 9679-4514 at any time of day. The chief prosecutor did not disclose the amount of the reward.
“The team is still working to determine the whereabouts and gather the necessary evidence to bring charges,” she said.
Awaiting DNA Results
The evening of that Monday, in the sugar cane fields of Villanueva, the van in which Aníbal Barrow was believed to have been transported, was found. The van contained traces of blood and a dental prosthesis, among other items. The next day, Tuesday the 25th of June, forensic samples were collected, including blood, which were sent to the Forensic Laboratory in Tegucigalpa for DNA testing to check if they correspond to Barrow.
To the frustration of all concerned, these results have not yet been ascertained because the Public Ministry staff is on vacation and will be out until Monday, June 15th, when they return to work.
The commander of the 105th Infantry Brigade, Colonel René Ponce Fonseca said that after two weeks of searching for the journalist, they continue with the same effort, to try to find him alive, “We are working with the police and made a continuous effort,” Ponce Fonseca said.
Remains Found Not Barrow’s
Search teams were recently alerted to the discovery of a body whose characteristics matched those of the missing communicator.
The police found the body of a man wearing a white shirt and jean pants; Barrow, the day he was kidnapped, was reportedly wearing a shirt of the same color and jeans. However, the body had a full set of teeth intact, but the journalist was believed to use a dental prosthesis. The body was later identified as Jose Leonardo Mejia, who had disappeared on Sunday afternoon. This is the sixth body found in the search for Aníbal Barrow.
The eldest son of the late journalist has said he respects the work of the search teams, as the family trusts that he is alive, “We are praying to the Lord for us to be back with our father. We just ask his captors to care for him, and to not do him any harm.”
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