Judge Katia Jiménez reopens today the case against a group of former military suspect of the assassination of former journalist Orlando Martínez in 1975. Orlando Martínez had been critical of the Balaguer administration, but it is believed he was assassinated because he was about to cover in his column an issue that touched upon major economic interests. The top-ranking military officers of the time have been requested to present testimony at the trial that is being heard now after years of it being untouchable. In a late development, the alleged material assassin Mariano Durán Cabrera was arrested in New York City and the Dominican government has entered a petition for his extradition. Former President Joaquín Balaguer has declined for health reasons attending the trial and has requested that he be questioned at his home. In a bibliographical book, "Memorias de un Cortesano," the former statesman left a blank page that he has said will be filled out after his death. In Hoy newspaper on Saturday, 5 December, lawyer Marino Vinicio Castillo (Vincho) sustained that what needs to be revealed at the trial is from where the orders came to assassinate the journalist. He explained that the material authors of the crime are known because there have been confessions. Not so the motive. In his opinion, former President Balaguer can reveal important data leading to the clearing up of the case. Castillo, who is president of the National Council of Drugs, says, "I have the idea that another investigation took place under five generals, high-ranking generals, and it is possible that the blank page refers to that military investigation more than to the investigation carried out by the Police. Note that the President spoke of keys, ‘don’t touch that key because you can be lost… a key to sugar that may lead to reveal a fraud where RD$38 million pesos had to be returned," he said. In his opinion, "Orlando had uncovered a clue to something, and he was asking Fernando Alvarez Bogaert to publish at least one sales contract of the State Sugar Council." Alvarez Bogaert is senator for Valverde province. Castillo is of the opinion that the trial should be delayed until Mariano Durán is extradited from the United States. The list of accused also includes retired generals Salvador Lluberes Montás, who on two occasions had been chief of the Air Force and one time Police chief; Joaquín Antonio Pou Castro and Isidro Martínez. Also accused are former military Rafael Alfredo Lluberes Ricart, Luis Emilio de la Rosa.
