Buenos Aires, February 28 (NA) -- The complainant lawyer in the case of the disappearance of Loan Danilo Peña, María Belén Russo Cornara, stated that the minor's mother, María Noguera, “broke down in tears” upon learning that the trial would begin on October 7; she also revealed that the minor's family is “being harassed.” In an interview with the Argentine News Agency, the lawyer referred to the preliminary hearing and stated: “The first thing that was said was the date, it was the first bucket of cold water. María even broke down in tears with that date, no one expected it to be so far away in a case that we are all following closely, because since the investigation began, we know there will be a trial.” In this sense, she added: “Luckily, they will review the date, thanks to the fact that all of us complained about it, María, José -Peña, the father- and the family is currently being harassed, and if they had to wait until October, who knows what could happen. Because both the prosecution and the complainant will not allow anything to prejudice justice for Loan.” Finally, Russo detailed: “The witnesses offered were 161 and then there are the 588 that were requested to be incorporated by reading. At that moment, the Sofía Alert was activated and the search began, but to date there is no certain data on his whereabouts. We thought it would be a reasonable period, between 30 and 60 days.” Regarding the presentation of evidence among the 17 accused, she indicated: “It is very complicated. Furthermore, if necessary, their appearance at the trial will be requested. We adhere to this request from the ministry and the court made no decision on the matter.” The preliminary hearing, which took place this Friday morning, was held in a hybrid manner, as the injured parties and prosecutors were present in the courtroom, while several of the accused participated via Zoom from the prisons where they are being held, except for Mónica Del Carmen Millapi, who is under house arrest in Neuquén, while some defenders such as Rodolfo Baqué and Pablo Jurado attended the court. In view of the date, Federal Prosecutor Carlos Schaeffer adhered to the rejection of an overly distant date and presented the same situation, while Ernesto González, lawyer for former municipal official María Victoria Caillava and former Navy captain Carlos Pérez, opposed the incorporation of 588 witnesses by reading. Loan was last seen on June 13, 2024, at his grandmother Catalina's house in the town of 9 de Julio in Corrientes province, where he went to have lunch with his father and then headed to an orange grove.
