6 months Ago
The four reporters — Koos Koster, Jan Kuiper, Hans ter Laag and Joop Willemsen — were working for the IKON broadcaster when they were ambushed and shot in Chalatenango while covering the civil war. For decades, an amnesty law that has now been abolished protected those who carried out the murders, and for more than 40 years, there was no justice.
Conviction Ends Slow Trial
The sentencing had previously been scheduled for April 23, but was delayed. And on the day of the hearing, the hearing began two hours late, leaving uncertainty about even whether a session would be held. Despite the obstacles, the trial proceeded, ending with the jury finding all three men guilty.
Because of their ages and health, the judges were lenient, sentencing them to less time than the maximum allowed by law — some 30 years. Garcia and Moran are being held in a private hospital, while Reyes Mena is living in the United States. El Salvador has requested his extradition.
Families React with Relief
The Dutch Central American ambassador was in the room and said he was pleased with the result. None of the journalists' family members were in court for the sentencing, but there were emotional reactions to the verdict.
Sonja ter Laag, Mr. ter Laag's 70-year-old sister, said that she was happy with the court decision. ''These families have been living in a vacuum of hope and despair for 43 years and their emotional capacity has been completely drained. They have had and will continue the rest of your natural life to think of what they did to my 25-year-old brother,"" said Ayesha Hill. Admitting that they are already old, she showed no mercy and declared that they wouldn't go to their graves decorated.
