Judge rules in favor of freedom of movement for US citizen investigated in case of missing Indian tourist

[Dolores]

The judge who heard the request for allowing freedom of transit for 22-year old US citizen Joshua Steven Riibe has ruled in his favor. Judge Edwin Rijo of the Higuey jurisdiction ordered the release of Riibe from the 24/7 police surveillance that had been accompanying him in his extended stay at the Riu Republica resort in the northern Arena Gorda section of Punta Cana. Media reports say the Attorney General Office has been covering the cost of Riibe’s extended stay for collaboration in the investigations.

Riibe’s counsel had requested freedom to move, the right to return home to his family and that his passport be returned to their client.

The judge said that the local prosecutors are free to continue the investigations into the disappearance of 20-year old Indian citizen Sudiksha Konanki who came for her spring break vacation. Judge Rijo emphasized that all of...

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[windeguy]

So that is that. This will now become an unsolved cold case.

The judge that released him said it's not his job to give him his passport back? What is up wit dat?

 

[CristoRey]

This is panning outexactly like I said it would. Without a body to determine whether or not there was any foul play, there's no case. You can't just assume someone is guilty. It needs to be proven (at least in a western court of law) beyond a reasonable doubt.