Argentine court sentences three men to life imprisonment for double homicide

A court in Salta, Argentina, has sentenced three men to life imprisonment for the premeditated murder of two Bolivian citizens. The victims, Wilson Abdón Zutara and Ariel Fernando Ledesma Salinas, were killed on May 10, 2024, in a rural area of the Orán department near National Route 34.

Following a jury deliberation, Elvio Augusto Díaz, a former mayoral candidate, and Roberto Enrique Larrán were found guilty as co-authors of the homicide, which was aggravated by treachery and the use of firearms. Carlos Fernando Rodríguez was convicted as a primary participant for his essential role in executing the criminal plan. The sentencing follows a prosecution request for life terms after the jury determined the attack was a planned interception.

In a separate incident in Tucumán, Benjamín Eduardo Díaz, a 24-year-old police officer, has been granted house arrest. He is accused of fatally shooting his colleague, 23-year-old Nicolás Agustín Albaca Romano, in the chest during an incident on October 6. Prosecutors are expected to reformulate charges next week following the completion of autopsy and ballistic reports.