The Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation has rejected a complaint appeal and confirmed the sentence of a group of police officers from Entre Ríos for the crime of aggravated sedition. This case dates back to a revolt that took place in Concordia on December 8 and 9, 2013, when the officers self-encamped demanding salary improvements, leaving the city unprotected and triggering looting in several establishments.
The ruling of the highest court ratifies the sentence imposed on Carlos Daniel Zaragoza, one of the leaders of the insurrection, who was sentenced to four and a half years in prison and a disqualification from holding public office for nine years. Additionally, 16 other officers received sentences ranging from three to four and a half years in prison for their participation in the disturbances.
The Trial and Appeals Court of Concordia, in charge of the oral trial in 2015, acquitted Zaragoza of several charges, but Chamber 1 of the Criminal Cassation Court of Paraná partially revoked this decision in 2016, adding convictions for illegal deprivation of liberty and injuries in a fight. Despite this, the defense continued to appeal until the case reached the Supreme Court.
During the judicial process, prosecutor Mario Guerrero argued that the police violently took control of the local police headquarters, using tear gas and promoting looting as part of an organized and coordinated plan with assigned tasks. Furthermore, it was mentioned that some officers had warned criminals about the lack of protection in the city to apply pressure on the provincial government and obtain a salary increase. The then-governor, Sergio Urribarri, acknowledged negotiating with the insurgents to avoid a violent scenario, but subsequently annulled the increases granted during that extortion situation.
The Court dismissed Zaragoza's defense request for the case to be time-barred and confirmed the sentence previously issued in the lower courts, marking the outcome of this aggravated sedition case in Entre Ríos.