designated lawyer H.D.G. to handle his defense. 49 He also claimed to have been mistreated by state agents. 50 34. In its decision of June 19, 2000, the Court of First Instance, Fourth Rotation, classified the “offense” committed by Mr. López as “serious” and ordered that he and other officers be discharged from the police force. 51 The decision was confirmed by a judgment of June 19, 2000. 52 After these proceedings were completed, on July 20, 2000, the President issued Decree 9,249 in which officer López was discharged from the police for “serious offenses committed in the performance of his duties.” 53 b) Criminal proceedings 35. As a result of the failed coup, the Public Prosecution Service opened criminal proceedings against “[M.C.], [H.R.S.] and others, for punishable acts committed against the existence of the State and the constitutional order,” in order to investigate the alleged punishable acts and determine the alleged perpetrators of the attempted coup. 54 36. On May 26, 2000, seven days after Mr. López’s arrest, Paraguay’s Supreme Court of Justice ordered all judges of the first instance throughout the country, within the following 48 hours, to visit the places where people “indicted” under the state of emergency were located, in order to guarantee free communication, verify their detention, and carry out the pertinent medical examinations. 55 The next day, Mr. López appeared before the prosecutor to give an investigatory statement, at which time he was informed of the facts and the accusation regarding his alleged participation. 56 That same day, Mr. López was examined by a doctor for the first time. 57 37. On May 27, 2000, the Public Prosecution Service issued an order for the arrest of Mr. López and five other people “indicted” for the crime of “punishable acts committed against the existence of the State and the constitutional order” under Articles 269(1) 49 Cf. Interlocutory Order 124 of the Court of First Instance, Fourth Rotation, of June 7, 2000 (evidence file, folios 458). 50 Cf. Statement of Jorge Luis López Sosa during the preliminary examination, dated June 7, 2000 (evidence file, folio 460). 51 Cf. Court of First Instance, Fourth Rotation, Decision No. 95, of June 19, 2000 (evidence file, folio 10728). 52 Cf. Office of Police Justice, Judgment No. 234, of June 19, 2000 (evidence file, folio 10740). 53 Cf. Presidential Decree 9,249 of July 20, 2000 (evidence file, folio 1615). 54 Cf. Criminal Court of Guarantees, Interlocutory Order 124 of March 31, 2000 (evidence file, folios 1618 to 1623). 55 Cf. Final Judgment No. 1 of the Collegiate Trial Court of the Judicial District of Asunción, Case 01-0102-01-2000-2606, “B.P., M.P., O.V., W.P., for infliction of bodily injury in the performance of public duties and others” of December 30, 2019 (evidence file, folio 421). 56 Cf. Criminal Prosecutor’s Office, Decision No. 25, of May 27, 2000 (evidence file, folio 4453). 57 Cf. Statement of the witness Juan Carlos Paredes in Final Judgment No. 1 of the Collegiate Trial Court of the Judicial District of Asunción, Case 01-01-02-01-2000-2606, “B.P., M.P., O.V., W.P., for infliction of bodily injury in the performance of public duties and others” of December 30, 2019 (evidence file, folio 316). Furthermore, Mr. López Sosa stated that the first visit by a medical examiner took place “approximately 15 days” after his arrest, which is roughly around the same date. Cf. Final Judgment No. 1 of the Collegiate Trial Court of the Judicial District of Asunción, Case 01-01-02-01-2000-2606, “B.P., M.P., O.V., W.P., for infliction of bodily injury in the performance of public duties and others” of December 30, 2019 (evidence file, folio 186). Finally, the Commission and the State both affirm that the medical examiner’s visit took place on May 27, 2000, as part of a delegation comprised of three judges, a medical examiner, and their respective assistants to the Specialized Group. Cf. Merits Report 376/20, Jorge Luis López Sosa regarding Paraguay, December 15, 2020, para. 86 (Merits file, folio 11), and para. 119 of the State’s answer of June 20, 2022 (Merits file, folio 137). 12