In January, a magistrate had ruled that the accused could face trial while free, but the intervention of the Public Ministry allowed this decision to be reconsidered.

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The Supreme Court of Justice (CSJ) of Honduras has made a historic decision by revoking the house arrest of former General Romeo Vásquez and high-ranking military officers Venancio Cervantes and Carlos Puerto, ordering instead their pretrial detention. This measure is related to their involvement in the murder of Isy Obed Murillo, considered the first victim of the 2009 coup d’état.

The resolution came after a review of the case, which was reopened thanks to the efforts of President Xiomara Castro’s government to combat impunity in the country. In January, a magistrate had ruled that the accused could face trial while free, but the intervention of the Public Ministry allowed this decision to be reconsidered.

The spokesperson for the Prosecutor’s Office, Yuri Mora, emphasized that there is sufficient evidence to demonstrate the responsibility of those implicated in Murillo’s murder.

The Prosecutor’s Office has upheld charges of homicide, serious injuries, and attempted murder, arguing that house arrest was an insufficient measure given the gravity of the crime.

Isy Obed Murillo was killed on July 5, 2009, while participating in a peaceful demonstration demanding the return of then-President Manuel Zelaya, who had been ousted by a military coup. During the crackdown on the protest, Murillo was shot in the head, becoming a symbol of the struggle for justice in Honduras.

The CSJ’s decision is seen as a significant step toward accountability for human rights violations in the context of the coup d’état and reflects a shift in the country’s judicial stance regarding cases of impunity.

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