53. The report concluded that, according to versions of witnesses “who are afraid of having their statements taken in writing for fear of being killed,” “there is a group of persons who were the ones who planned the death of Mr. Ángel (...) the day before the incident.” 70 The persons identified as suspects were Benjamín Cárdenas, alternate congressperson at that time, Manuel Antonio Vides, congressperson at that time, Hector Efrain Estrada, under arrest, and Salvador Cárdenas. 71 It was pointed out that “all of these gentlemen were seen in a restaurant close to Nacaome, Valle, where they spoke about how to kill Ángel Pacheco León, and it was also mentioned that, in that group, there was a preventive police officer, whose name is currently not known.”72 The regional coordinator of DGIC was asked “to take the steps needed to provide protection to this witness so that he could make a statement in court and as a result move forward with the investigation.”73 54. On February 11, 2002, DGIC submitted a new report. 74 It indicated that “currently in the file of the investigation the following gentlemen are viewed as suspects: Benjamín Cárdenas, Jorge Berrios Escoto, Wilfredo Cárdenas Romero, Salvador Cárdenas Romero, Raúl Pino, and Manuel Vides, all of them suspected of having been involved in planning and executing Mr. Pacheco.” 75 55. The report pointed out that, in January 2002, the homes of the Cárdenas brothers and Jorge Berrios were searched and various arms were found and confiscated. 76 It was indicated that there are witnesses who know the Cárdenas brothers and who have stated that “they could be involved in the incident because the victim had personal problems with these gentlemen because of politics.” 77 56. Likewise, it was indicated in this report that information was obtained that, a week before Ángel Pacheco was killed, Mr. Benjamín Cárdenas bought a 9mm firearm, which is the type of firearm that was used to kill the alleged victim. 78 It was pointed out that “with the statements set forth in the case file and the verbal versions of the witnesses, it can be said that these individuals may have been the masterminds behind the killing of Mr. Pacheco, but as yet there is no single evidence that might prove their involvement in the crime.”79 The Director of DGIC was requested to facilitate an order for this specific case because some of the suspected persons travel between Valle, Choluteca, Tegucigalpa, and Olancha. 80 It was indicated that 70 Investigation report of December 20, 2001. Pages 123-125 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 71 Investigation report of December 20, 2001. Pages 123-125 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 72 Investigation report of December 20, 2001. Pages 123-125 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 73 Investigation report of December 20, 2001. Pages 123-125 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 74 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 75 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 76 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 77 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 78 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 79 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004. 80 Investigation report of February 11, 2002. Pages 127-129 of the court case file. Annex to the communication from the petitioners received by the IACHR on August 27, 2004.