Mariasela Alvarez is a graduate in architecture who after winning Miss World (1982) chose to make a career as a TV host in Spain and the Dominican Republic. Curfew has increased the audience for the interviews on timely topics she delivers from 8 to 9pm, Monday to Thursday on Channel 9.
On Saturday, 13 September she and her daughter were assaulted at gunpoint in Ensanche Serallés in a central residential area in Santo Domingo. On her Monday TV show Alvarez told the story. The Police arrested the assailant. The thief stole her daughter’s purse that was later recovered.
The thief ran off. An hour later, in a nearby area he assaulted TV producer Tuto Guerrero. Both Mariasela Alvarez and Tuto Guerrero vowed to press charges.
As a follow up, Alvarez announced a round table on crime and what the authorities are doing to change the situation. The snag is that the present Penal Code makes it easy for criminals to get back to crime. She says the onus is on the victim to press charges that require multiple appearances in court. When this doesn’t happen, the criminal gets off the hook. That is why you see so many repeat offenders back on the job.
National District senator Faride Raful is a co-host of the Esta Noche con Mariasela talk show. The Penal Code is in Congress. The Mariasela case is expected to drive home the pressing need for amendments to the Penal Code.
Follow the story in Spanish:
Esta Noche con Mariasela
Noticias SIN
El Nuevo Diario
N Digital
15 September 2020