Víctor Jara Case Moves Forward on Claims of Torture and Extrajudicial Killing

Today, a U.S. District Court court ordered that CJA’s case against the killer of famous Chilean folksinger Víctor Jara will move forward on claims of torture and extrajudicial killing:

“We are delighted with the news that our case will move forward for torture and extrajudicial killing,” said CJA International Attorney Almudena Bernabeu. “It is nonetheless disappointing for our clients and all of us, that the court dismissed the crimes against humanity claim, because the killing of Víctor Jara — and thousands of crimes committed under the Pinochet regime — should be called what it is: a crime against humanity.  We are nonetheless pleased that the Jara family is one step closer to having their day in court.”

CJA and pro-bono counsel Chadbourne & Parke, LLP filed a lawsuit on September 4, 2013 on behalf of the surviving family members of Chilean folk singer and social icon Víctor Jara, who was imprisoned, tortured and executed in Chile during the early days of the brutal military coup led by General Augusto Pinochet on September 11, 1973. The lawsuit was filed in the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Florida against Pedro Pablo Barrientos Nuñez, a current resident of Deltona, Florida and a former officer in the Chilean Army under Pinochet. Click here to read more about this case.