Today, January 6, 2020, a judge will rule on the re-trial of Mynor Padilla, former head of security for Hudbay Minerals and Skye Resources (and former Lieutenant Colonel in the Guatemalan Army). Padilla has been on trial for the mining-related murder of Mayan Q’eqchi’ land and human rights defender Adolfo Ich, and the shooting and paralyzing of German Chub that same day, September 27, 2009.
Left: German Chub. Right: Adolfo Ich.
The initial criminal trial in Guatemala, that lasted from 2014-2017, was characterized by procedural and substantive irregularities, racism, threats and violence against German and Angelica, their families and witnesses. The initial trial court ruling was overturned entirely on appeal, and the trial court judge is being investigated in a separate criminal proceeding for irregularities and possible corruption in her ruling.
After three years of legal wrangling and delays –plus Covid-19 delays in 2020– the re-trial of Mynor Padilla began December 17, 2020, in a Puerto Barrios courtroom, in eastern Guatemala. Today, the presiding judge will rule on whether the re-trial will proceed or if some sort of summary ‘plea deal’ is acceptable in the eyes of the administration of justice in Guatemala.
All respect to Angelica Choc, German Chub, their lawyer and supporters, for their dignity, courage and tenacity.
For more information about the Mynor Padilla criminal trial, and how it intersects with the landmark Hudbay Minerals civil lawsuits in Canada, contact: Grahame Russell, Rights Action, info@rightsaction.org
Information about Hudbay Minerals lawsuits:
Murray Klippenstein, murray.klippenstein@klippensteins.ca
Cory Wanless, cory@waddellphillips.ca
Hudbay Minerals ARCHIVES
https://rightsaction.org/hudbay-minerals-archives
