A decide within the Dominican Republic on Tuesday granted a request for launch filed by Joshua Steven Riibe, the final individual recognized to have seen lacking US school scholar Sudiksha Konanki earlier than her disappearance practically two weeks in the past.
Riibe, a 22-year-old scholar from Iowa, had been beneath police watch in a lodge however had not been formally detained or charged. Authorities had additionally confiscated his passport, stopping him from leaving the nation.
The court docket ruling adopted Riibe’s habeas corpus petition, by which he argued that he was being held with out formal fees, violating his rights as a overseas nationwide.
His authorized group claimed Dominican authorities had restricted his motion, interrogated him a number of occasions, and failed to supply official translators or authorized counsel throughout preliminary questioning.
Following the decide’s resolution, Riibe’s attorneys expressed gratitude to the Dominican judiciary for “upholding the rule of regulation” and permitting his launch.
Nevertheless, it stays unclear when he’ll obtain his passport or be allowed to return to the USA.
Konanki’s dad and mom request official dying declaration
The ruling got here simply at some point after Konanki’s dad and mom, Subbarayudu and SreeDevi Konanki, submitted a proper request to Dominican authorities asking them to formally declare their daughter lifeless.
The letter, obtained by CNN, states that investigators imagine she drowned and that no proof of foul play has been discovered.
“Initiating this course of will enable our household to start the grieving course of and handle issues associated to her absence,” Konanki’s dad and mom wrote. “Whereas no declaration can actually ease our grief, we belief that this step will deliver some closure and allow us to honor her reminiscence.”
Authorities within the Dominican Republic haven’t but responded to the household’s request.
Riibe’s court docket listening to and investigation particulars
Riibe is anticipated to look in one other court docket listening to on March 28, although stories counsel he will not be required to attend in individual.
Dominican Republic Legal professional Normal Yeni Berenice Reynoso questioned Riibe for greater than six hours over the weekend. His authorized group claims he has been subjected to a number of interrogations because the investigation started on March 6.
At Tuesday’s listening to, Dominican prosecutors maintained that Riibe was by no means formally accused or detained, however was being interviewed as a witness. His attorneys, nonetheless, argued that he was being handled as a suspect in follow, as he was confined to a lodge room beneath police surveillance with out entry to his passport or private belongings.
His father, Albert Riibe, testified in court docket that his son had been unable to depart his lodge room and lacked any technique of communication.
Konanki’s final recognized moments
Konanki, a 20-year-old College of Pittsburgh scholar, traveled to Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, on March 3 for spring break with a gaggle of 5 different college students.
Surveillance footage from the Riu República Resort captured Konanki consuming together with her associates and two males, together with Riibe, at a lodge bar within the early hours of March 6. Round 4:15 a.m., safety cameras recorded Konanki and the group strolling onto the seashore.
Simply earlier than 5 a.m., footage reveals 5 ladies and one man leaving the seashore—however Konanki was not amongst them.
Riibe informed investigators that he and Konanki had been hit by a powerful wave and swept out to sea, making it tough for them to swim again. He said that he tried to assist her keep afloat, however swallowed an excessive amount of water and have become exhausted.
Riibe’s account of the incident
Throughout questioning, Riibe informed prosecutors that after struggling within the water, he managed to achieve the shore with Konanki and final noticed her standing in knee-deep water.
“The final time I noticed her, I requested if she was OK. I didn’t hear her reply as a result of I began vomiting up all of the seawater I had swallowed,” he reportedly informed investigators.
“After vomiting, I appeared round and didn’t see anybody. I believed she had grabbed her issues and left,” Riibe mentioned.
Believing she had returned to her lodge, Riibe said that he lay down on a seashore chair and fell asleep because of exhaustion. When he awakened, he went again to his room.
Later that day, Konanki’s associates realized she had not returned and commenced looking for her. They reported her lacking to lodge employees round 4 p.m.
Ongoing search and considerations over Punta Cana waters
Authorities discovered Konanki’s sarong-style cover-up on a lounge chair close to the seashore however reported no indicators of violence.
Her disappearance comes simply two months after 4 vacationers drowned in Punta Cana on the identical seashore the place she was final seen. The Dominican Republic’s Civil Protection Company had beforehand warned about sturdy ocean currents within the space.
Unsure future for Riibe’s authorized standing
Though Riibe has now been granted launch, he stays with out a passport and doesn’t know when he’ll be capable of depart the Dominican Republic.
His attorneys have filed a request for a brand new passport by means of the US Embassy, although US authorities haven’t confirmed when it could be issued.
Authorized specialists counsel that if Riibe leaves the Dominican Republic with out formal fees, it will be tough for the US to extradite him again, ought to authorities search additional questioning.
The investigation into Konanki’s disappearance stays open, with Dominican authorities persevering with their evaluation of proof.