24
Prosecutor’s office, at the Office of the Attorney General and during the trial “but they didn’t want to listen
to me;” ii) that he was forced by a police agent to take part in the kidnapping of Mr. Marroquín and
described all the facts regarding the crime;” and iii) knows that “it is unfair what they have done with his
brother, José Agapito Ruano Torres, whom they have convicted […] for a crime he never committed since
he really knows how the events unfolded.”127
97.
On May 13, 2002, José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Chief of the Judicial
Investigation Division of the Supreme Court of Justice a complaint against the Court of First Instance in
and for Tonacatepeque and Second Trial Court which had participated in the criminal proceedings.128
Mr. Ruano Torres alleged that neither of the two aforementioned courts had taken any measures in his
favor despite having submitted numerous briefs to them clarifying that it was his brother Rodolfo Ruano
Torres who was known as Chopo and not him. He also indicated that during the public hearing, the
Second Trial Court refused to allow his brother to testify as a witness. On October 22, 2003, the Office of
the President of the Supreme Court of Justice declared the complaint inadmissible because “no
elements were found that would evidence probable cause to open a disciplinary inquiry.”129
98.
For its part, on June 9, 2003, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman issued a
resolution based on a complaint submitted by José Agapito Ruano Torres on October 15, 2001.130 In that
complaint, Mr. Ruano Torres requested that a motion to review be lodged in order to reopen the judicial
proceedings. Mr. Ruano Torres pointed out that first, a serious judicial error had been committed in
mistaking him for his brother, Rodolfo Ruano Torres, known as Chopo and “who admits having taken
part in the facts.”131 Second, Mr. Ruano Torres pointed out that he was not allowed to make a statement
at the beginning of the pre-trial hearing even though he was willing to do so. Third, he stated that the
Court denied his request to have his brother, Rodolfo Ruano Torres, known as Chopo, testify at the
hearing although he was willing to do so. Fourth, Mr. Ruano Torres said that the Second Trial Court did
not give weight to the testimonial and documentary evidence submitted. He further stated that the
other persons convicted in the kidnapping admitted that he had not taken part in the crime but, rather,
that it had been his brother, Rodolfo Ruano Torres, known as Chopo who had participated in the act.132
99.
In its resolution, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman established the violation
of due process to the detriment of José Agapito Ruano Torres.133 The resolution also recommended to
the Office of the Public Defender of the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic that, given the
irregularities in the proceedings, jointly endorsed by omission of the various judges, prosecutors and
127
Annex 18. Brief of the Human Rights Commission of El Salvador, dated April 4, 2002. Annex to the petitioner’s brief dated April
11, 2007.
128
Annex 19. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Constitutional Chamber of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated
June 8, 2001. Annex to the petitioner’s communication received on December 12, 2003.
129
Annex 20. Brief of the Office of the Presidency of the Supreme Court of Justice, dated October 22, 2003. Annex to the petitioner’s
communication received on December 12, 2003.
130
Annex 21. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, dated October 15, 2001.
Annex to the petitioner’s brief dated December 12, 2003.
131
Annex 21. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, dated October 15, 2001.
Annex to the petitioner’s brief dated December 12, 2003.
132
Annex 21. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, dated October 15, 2001.
Annex to the petitioner’s brief dated December 12, 2003.
133
2001-2.
Annex 1. Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, case file 01-1554 Ac. 01-0214-01, June 9, 2003, page 694, criminal case file 77-