families.”56 A publication by the Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH) indicates that Col. Aldana’s decision would have hampered the access to water of several settlements.57 In addition, Mr. Pedro Marchetti stated that he had “heard information about Col. Augusto Aldana” and his possible involvement in the murder of Carlos Escaleras.58 3. The killing of Carlos Escaleras Mejía 67. According to the statements of several witnesses, on October 18, 1997, Carlos Escaleras Mejía was returning from a political event organized by his party in the city of Tegucigalpa. 68. Specifically, they stated that at around 6:00 p.m., two people entered Lubricentro Escaleras, the Escaleras family business, and were received by Marta Alvarenga, Mr. Escaleras Mejía’s wife, who sold them two soft drinks.59 Mr. Joaquín Benítez reported that he met with those individuals as they were leaving the business and that they offered him a drink. 60 He said they told him that “they [were] looking for Carlos because they want[ed] a number 14 inner tube.”61 Mr. Benítez stated that he saw the two individuals waiting for Mr. Escaleras. He later saw Carlos Escaleras Mejía arrive on a motorcycle. 62 69. Marta Alvarenga, Mr. Escaleras’s wife, stated that after parking the motorcycle, Carlos Escaleras Mejía “went into the back of the shop.”63 His son, Douglas Escaleras Alvarenga, who was also present, reported that two men asked the shop’s watchman whether the person who had just arrived was Carlos Escaleras, to which he replied in the affirmative. 64 He added that the two men thereupon “shot him (…) in the back.”65 70. Mrs. Alvarenga described how she heard three gunshots and saw the men running away. 66 Mr. Benítez said he saw two people running. 67 Mrs. Alvarenga said she saw her husband on the ground and, 56 24, 2004. Annex 17. Notice “Six years and Carlos Escaleras Walks with Us,” undated, Annex 4 to the petitioners’ communication of April 57 Annex 7. Committee of Relatives of the Detained and Disappeared in Honduras (COFADEH), Erguidos como pinos. Memoria sobre la construcción de la conciencia ambientalista, Honduras, 2006, p. 43. 58 Annex 10. Statement of Pedro Marchetti, dated November 28, 2000, judicial case file, pp. 282-284, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 59 Annex 16. Statement of Joaquín Benítez, dated October 23, 1997, judicial case file, p. 22, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002; Annex 18. Statement of Martha Alvarenga Reyes, dated October 27, 1997, judicial case file, p. 37, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 60 Annex 16. Statement of Joaquín Benítez, dated October 23, 1997, judicial case file, p. 22, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 61 Annex 16. Statement of Joaquín Benítez, dated October 23, 1997, judicial case file, p. 22, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 62 Annex 16. Statement of Joaquín Benítez, dated October 23, 1997, judicial case file, p. 22, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 63 Annex 18. Statement of Martha Alvarenga Reyes, dated October 27, 1997, judicial case file, p. 37, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 64 Annex 19. Statement of Douglas Escaleras Alvarenga, dated November 27, 1997, judicial case file, pp. 86-87, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 65 Annex 19. Statement of Douglas Escaleras Alvarenga, dated November 27, 1997, judicial case file, pp. 86-87, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 66 Annex 18. Statement of Martha Alvarenga Reyes, dated October 27, 1997, judicial case file, p. 37, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002; Annex 20. Statement of Martha Alvarenga Reyes, dated November 27, 1997, judicial case file, p. 86, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 67 Annex 16. Statement of Joaquín Benítez, dated October 23, 1997, judicial case file, p. 22, annexed to the initial petition of January 14, 2002. 12