17
62. The case file also contains photos and a video of the injuries suffered by Juan Arrom and
Anuncio Martí after their release, where wounds can be seen in different parts of the body, in
consistency with the medical reports.69
B.
Actions taken by the next of kin and investigation of the facts
B.1 Actions taken at the request of the next of kin
63. According to what the alleged victims stated, on January 19, Juan Arrom's sisters looked for
him at the Ministry of the Interior, at police stations, at the National Police Headquarters, and at
the Crime Investigation Department.70 On January 20, they visited Prosecutor Hugo Velázquez at
the Luque Prosecutor's Office and Commissioner González Cuquejo at the Crime Investigation
Department.71 On January 23, they went to the Paraguarí Artillery Command and to the Office for
Vehicle Control of the National Police.72 After that, they went to the Office of the Archbishop, and
then to Congress, where they were received by a senator, who summoned them so that the
following day their case could be presented to the Permanent Commission of Congress.73
64. At the same time, on January 19, 2002, Cristina Arrom and Carmen Marina Arrom filed a
petition for habeas corpus on behalf of their brother Juan Arrom, requesting that his release be
ordered immediately. They indicated that, it had been stated in the media that he had been
apprehended on Thursday, January 17, 2002, by authorities of the Police or the Ministry of the
Interior and that he had been taken to the Ybycuí area.74
65. On January 20, the judge issued an official notice ordering the Ministry of the Interior and
the National Police to inform whether Juan Arrom Suhurt was detained.75 In response, the Head
of the Judicial Department, the Crime Investigation Department and the Minister of the Interior
indicated that Juan Arrom was not detained.76 On January 22, the Arrom Suhurt sisters submitted
a new brief reiterating that Mr. Arrom Suhurt was in the premises of state security organizations,
without them being able to determine the exact place of detention.77
66. On January 23, 2002, the court decided to deny the request for habeas corpus.78 It indicated
that “it had no certainty on whether Juan Francisco Arrom Suhurt had been deprived of his
liberty.”79 It explained that the remedy of habeas corpus “is not oriented to avoid the modification
of an existing factual situation, that is, the absence with unknown whereabouts of [Mr. Juan
Francisco Arrom Suhurt - existing an order of deprivation of liberty ordered by a competent
Cf. Photographs of the injuries of Juan Arrom Suhurt and Anuncio Martí Méndez (evidence file, fs. 221 to 236),
and video 2 attached to the pleadings and motions brief.
70
cf. Witness statement of February 11, 2002, of María Auxiliadora Arrom Suhurt (evidence file, f. 4963);
Testimony of February 11, 2002, by Cristina Arrom Suhurt (evidence file, f. 4967); Statement made by Cristina Arrom
Suhurt on February 7, 2019 at the public hearing held in this case; Statement of Carmen Marina Arrom Suhurt
rendered by affidavit presented before the Court (evidence file, fs. 13138 and 13139)
71
cf. Testimony of February 11, 2002, of María Auxiliadora Arrom (evidence file, f. 4963); Statement made by
Cristina Arrom Suhurt on February 7, 2019 at the public hearing held in this case; Statement of Liza Liana Larriera
Rojas rendered by affidavit submitted to the Court (evidence file, f. 13202), and Statement of María Auxiliadora Arrom
rendered by affidavit submitted to the Court (evidence file, affidavits and expert opinions, f. 13159).
72
cf. Testimony of February 11, 2002, of María Auxiliadora Arrom (evidence file, f. 4964); Statement of June 21,
2002, of Ofelia Noemí Insaurralde Morel (evidence file, fs. 5929); Statement of María Auxiliadora Arrom rendered by
affidavit submitted to the Court (evidence file, affidavits, and expert opinions, f. 13159), and Statement rendered by
Cristina Arrom at the public hearing held in this case.
73
cf. Testimony of February 11, 2002, by María Auxiliadora Arrom (evidence file, f. 4964).
74
Cf. Final Judgment No. 4 of January 23, 2002 (evidence file, f. 504).
75
Interlocutory order No. 38 of January 20, 2002 (evidence file, f. 1151).
76
Cf. Final Judgment No. 4 of January 23, 2002 (evidence file, f. 504).
77
Cf. Final Judgment No. 4 of January 23, 2002 (evidence file, f. 506).
78
Cf. Final Judgment No. 4 of January 23, 2002 (evidence file, f. 507).
79
Cf. Final Judgment No. 4 of January 23, 2002 (evidence file, f. 506).
69