Dominican Republic convicts man over 2011 murder of journalist

JournalismPakistan.com | Published: 13 April 2018

Matías Avelino Castro has been sentenced to 20 years for his involvement in the murder of journalist José Agustín Silvestre. The verdict reflects the country's commitment to addressing journalist safety.

Summary

NEW YORK - A Dominican Republic court has sentenced Matías Avelino Castro to 20 years in prison for his role in the 2011 murder of journalist José Agustín Silvestre, according to reports.

The court convicted Avelino Castro, whom police had identified as the alleged mastermind of the killing, of being an accomplice to murder, according to reports.

"We applaud the steps taken by authorities to bring the killers of journalist José Agustín Silvestre to justice," said CPJ Program Director Carlos Martínez de la Serna. "This conviction is a sign that the Dominican Republic takes the murders of journalists seriously."

In addition to the prison sentence and a fine, the court ordered Avelino Castro to surrender two properties and a bank account. Lawyers for Avelino Castro, who was extradited from Colombia last year to stand trial, have not said whether they will appeal the ruling, according to reports.

A court in July 2015 sentenced two men to 30 years in prison for carrying out the murder, according to reports. - A CPJ statement

Key Points

Avelino Castro convicted as accomplice in journalist murder
Sentenced to 20 years in prison
Court also ordered him to surrender properties and bank account
Previous sentence of 30 years for two other accomplices in 2015
CPJ commended the action taken by Dominican authorities

Relevant Topics

Dominican Republic

Journalist Murder

Court Conviction

Matías Avelino Castro

Justice

CPJ

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