Tegucigalpa, Honduras.
The president of the Honduras Bar Association, Fredy Cerrato, said this Friday that attorney Melvin Bonilla had not filed any complaints about threats that endangered his life.
‘We spoke a few months ago and he didn’t tell me about it hazardsWe are very shocked, but especially concerned that in most cases everything will remain with impunity, ”said Cerrato.
The legal professional also noted that they have been receiving complaints about it in recent hours death threats of three lawyers.
Also read: They arrest the alleged murderer of the lawyer Melvin Bonilla
“However, we have not received a response from the authorities, although we have already made the corresponding request. We are extremely concerned to see that we do not have a positive response from the state to a union that continues to mourn.” “
According to National Violence Observatory, 11 lawyers were violently killed in 2020.
“The big problem is impunityThis element carries a greater risk, because if those responsible are caught and punished according to the law, a deterrent action is triggered, otherwise they will receive an open letter. “
For her part, criminal lawyer Gracia María Beltrand explained that in 60% of cases, the causes of this type of death are due to confidentiality as part of the appeal.
Meanwhile, 20% is related to circumstances related to their job as a source or prosecutor.
About the case
The murder of lawyer Melvin Bonilla took place this Thursday at 10:30 am in the Alameda district when the criminal attorney Y former judge He was driving a pickup-style vehicle and at a traffic light, he was intercepted by a test subject on a motorcycle, who shot him several times to kill him.
The now deceased, graduate of the International Law Enforcement Academy (ILEA)He handled high-impact lawsuits in the country, including that of “Tony” Hernández, convicted of drug trafficking in the United States.