Director of Prisons stated he was unaware of Antonio Espalliat’s transfer

Santo Domingo. – The visit of the general director of Penitentiary and Correctional Services (DGSCP), Colonel Roberto Hernández Basilio, to the Palace of Justice of Ciudad Nueva on the night of this Thursday has been justified by him as part of a “routine supervision”. However, his presence has raised questions, as it coincides with the moment when the transfer of businessman Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espaillat, charged in the Jet Set case, is expected. Both are accused by the Public Ministry of involuntary manslaughter, following the collapse of a part of the roof of the Jet Set nightclub, an event that left several people dead and others injured.

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Consulted by members of the press, Colonel Hernández Basilio denied that his visit is related to this judicial process. “It is a routine supervision, like the ones we do every week”, he said, without offering further details.

The accusation against the Espaillat brothers is based on article 319 of the Dominican Penal Code, under the charge of involuntary manslaughter. The Public Ministry maintains that they acted with “immense irresponsibility and negligence” by not intervening in the establishment’s roof in time, despite technical warnings about its deterioration.

“El techo del Jet Set Club debió ser intervenido de manera adecuada y especializada para evitar una tragedia de esta magnitud, que terminó cobrando la vida de clientes y empleados que confiaban en la seguridad del lugar”, indica el expediente depositado ante el tribunal.

It is expected that in the coming hours the Public Ministry will request coercive measures against the accused before a permanent attention judge of the National District, while continuing to expand the investigation of the case.

Antonio Espaillat López and his sister Maribel Espaillat are being investigated for the crime of involuntary manslaughter.