Prisoners rights lawyer shot dead in office
Javier Justiniani a lawyer working for a foundation to aid prisoners was shot dead in his office in Juan Diaz, on Thursday April 29.
Javier Fanuc, commissioner of the National Police said the shooting of the 40 year-old lawyer took place at about 10:00 a.m. soon after he arrived in his office.
Alexandra, his secretary, the only witness to what happened, said that a man in his 30s, swarthy complexion and indigenous features, who had been waiting for the afternoon of Wednesday, entered the office without a word and shot Justiniani. He then left the room, walking slowly and got into a taxi.
Assistant district attorney, Naphtali Jaén, confirmed that a police camera, installed on a pole about 100 yards from the office had recorded the murderer when he entered and left the office Justiniani. He ruled out robbery as a motive as none of the lawyer’s belongings were taken
Marta Gonzalez, the victim’s mother who lived with him and his wife said that a month ago he pasted a message on Face book saying he was afraid.
She criticized opposition against her son from various Government officials and said she did not doubt that the murderwas linked with this.
Justiniani was, president of the Foundation for the Support of Detained, president of the Federation of Independent Bands and Chairman of the Independent Banda Centenario.
Justiniani always spoke publicly of his criminal record and how, after being imprisoned for 42 months, for aggravated possession of drugs, changed his life and graduated as a lawyer.
He mentioned many times that he had known the misery of life in the country’s jails and in 2004 created the Foundation for the Support of Prisoners, an agency that afforded him an opportunity to rehabilitate and reintegrate prisoners as useful members of society,
The lawyer also ventured into politics. In 2000 he enrolled in the Democratic Change Party (CD) and in 2004 was a candidate for representative for Rio Abajo.
He joined Martinelli’s team and servedon the Party’s National Board. after of differences with members of the CD leadership he distanced himself and was critical of the Martinelli administration
Interior Minister, Jose Raul Mulino, said the authorities should "investigate Justiniani’s past to discover what caused his death.”
On one occasion, Mulino ordered the arrest of the lawyerr, for "disrespect" to criminal agents in La Joya.
