26
Rodolfo Ruano Torres appear at the hearing as evidence since he was known as Chopo. On August 13,
2003, the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador ruled the motion inadmissible stating that there had
not been any violation of his constitutional guarantees because José Agapito Ruano Torres chose not to
make a statement.139
103. On September 22, 2003, José Agapito Ruano Torres again filed with the Second Trial
Court in and for San Salvador a motion to review based on the same arguments.140 On September 29,
2003, the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador decided not to admit this new motion because it
considered it a reiteration of the previous motion.141
104. On October 4, 2004, the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman ratified its previous
resolution of June 9, 2003.142 It reiterated the i) violations found during the prosecution and trial of Mr.
Ruano Torres; ii) the responsibility of the three public defenders, the Office of the Attorney General and
the various judges who participated in the proceedings; and iii) requested that the public defenders pursue
the review of the judgment against Agapito.143
105. On September 12, 2006, Toribio Chiquillo Rodríguez, one of the persons convicted in the
kidnapping of Mr. Marroquín, submitted a brief to the Second Trial Court indicating that the individual
who took part in the kidnapping was Rodolfo Ruano Torres, who goes by the nickname Chopo, and not
José Agapito Ruano Torres.144 He stated that from the very beginning of the proceedings, the
prosecutors did not allow him to testify that José Agapito Ruano Torres did not participate at any time in
the kidnapping of Mr. Marroquín and that he had just met him during the criminal proceedings.145
106. On November 22, 2006, José Agapito Ruano Torres filed a new motion to review with
the Second Trial Court.146 He argued that he was not allowed to make a statement even though he
stated “I am willing to testify.”147 He also argued that Mr. Marroquín admitted that his pointing to and
recognition of Mr. Ruano Torres was based on the communications media and even repeated “I saw
them in the newspapers and in one video.”148 He also requested that the evidence presented be
discussed and analyzed –documentary statement regarding his work on the day of the kidnapping and
139
Annex 1. Brief of the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador, dated August 13, 2003, page 713, criminal case file 77-2001-2.
140
Annex 1. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres, dated September 22, 2003, page 715, criminal case file 77-2001-2.
141
Annex 1. Brief of the Second Trial Court in and for San Salvador, dated September 29, 2003, page 716, criminal case file 77-2001-
2.
142
Annex 22. Resolution of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, dated October 4, 2004. Annex to the petitioner’s brief of
February 14, 2005.
143
Annex 22. Resolution of the Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, dated October 4, 2004. Annex to the petitioner’s brief of
February 14, 2005.
144
Annex 23. Brief of Toribio Chiquillo Rodríguez submitted to the Second Trial Court, dated September 12, 2006. Annex to the
petitioner’s brief dated April 11, 2007.
145
Annex 1. Office of the Human Rights Ombudsman, case file 01-1554 Ac. 01-0214-01, June 9, 2003, page 697, criminal case file 77-
2001-2.
146
Annex 24. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Second Trial Court, dated November 22, 2006. Annex to the
petitioner’s brief dated April 11, 2007.
147
Annex 24. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Second Trial Court, dated November 22, 2006. Annex to the
petitioner’s brief dated April 11, 2007.
148
Annex 24. Brief of José Agapito Ruano Torres submitted to the Second Trial Court dated November 22, 2006. Annex to the
petitioner’s brief dated April 11, 2007.