Argentina: Investigation into the Santiago Maldonado case must be carried out impartially and without interference

One year on from the disappearance and subsequent death of Santiago Maldonado, it is imperative that the Argentine authorities solve the case and comply with their obligation to guarantee the rights of his family to truth, justice and reparation, said Amnesty International.

“The judicial authorities must make progress in an impartial, independent and comprehensive investigation to determine the causes of the death of Santiago Maldonado and, should any state agent be found responsible for this death, they must be brought to justice without delay or interference of any sort”, said Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International.

The judicial authorities must make progress in an impartial, independent and comprehensive investigation to determine the causes of the death of Santiago Maldonado and, should any state agent be found responsible for this death, they must be brought to justice without delay or interference of any sort

Erika Guevara Rosas, Americas Director at Amnesty International

Santiago Maldonado was a 28-year-old activist who disappeared on 1 August 2017 following a violent raid by the Argentine National Gendarmerie of the Mapuche community Pu Lof, in the department of Cushamen in Chubut province.

Santiago Maldonado had arrived in the territory of the Mapuche community the day before to assist in its suit to reclaim tribal lands. His body was found on 17 October by the river Chubut, 400 metres upstream from where he had last been seen alive.