Romina's defense considers Díaz's release "regrettable": "The slowness of processing has favored him"

The family's lawyer, Emilia Zaballos, states that the murderer's release from prison could have been avoided, and the population of Lanzarote is demonstrating against his freedom.

January 12 2023 (13:32 WET)
Updated in January 12 2023 (14:49 WET)
Protest against the release from prison of Raúl Díaz, Romina's murderer. Photo: José Luis Carrasco
Protest against the release from prison of Raúl Díaz, Romina's murderer. Photo: José Luis Carrasco

Next Monday, January 16, marks four years since Raúl Díaz entered pre-trial detention accused of the murder of Romina Celeste Núñez. Díaz has been charged with killing, dismembering, burning and throwing the remains of his wife into the sea in 2019 in Costa Teguise. However, since he entered prison, no trial has been held, so the court has ruled that he must be released before that date.

The lawyer for Romina's family and in charge of the private prosecution (through the Zaballos Foundation in defense of constitutional rights, of which she is president), Emilia Zaballos, told La Voz that it is "lamentable" that such a situation occurs within the Spanish judicial system.

The lawyer indicates that, although at the beginning of the case an "agile and good" investigation was carried out, where there was "sufficient evidence" to prosecute Díaz, in recent months "each and every one" of the procedures have been delayed.

"The murderer's last lawyer has dedicated himself to filing appeals during the last months that had no basis, only for the fact that with the processing of each one of them between a month and a month and a half is lost in which a trial cannot be scheduled", explains Zaballos.

Therefore, the lawyer affirms that the new judge (it is not the same one that began with the procedure of the case) should have valued this fact and denied them: "The slowness of processing has been used to benefit the accused".

 

A settlement agreement "without response"

Given this delay, both the defense and the prosecution, maintained an approach last September in which the possibility of holding a settlement trial was raised, where Díaz would recognize the facts and penalties would be agreed in relation to his criminal and civil responsibility.

However, Zaballos points out that although all the arrangements to meet with the Prosecutor's Office were resolved, making it possible for this trial to be held before Christmas, she never received a response.

"If this had been done, we would now have a different scenario, in which the murderer would not be leaving prison. But the reality is that what has been achieved is to perpetuate the suffering of the family and prevent them from closing their mourning, because they are devastated", says the lawyer.

 

The risk of flight is "very high"

Given this situation, both the private prosecution and the prosecutor's office have indicated that the risk of flight of the accused is "very high": "No matter how much it may cost Díaz economically to find a way to escape, it will always be less than entering prison with a sentence of between 20 and 30 years, which is what corresponds to him".

For this reason, they have requested the Prosecutor's Office to withdraw the accused's passport, limit his departures only to national territory, impose restraining orders with respect to the family and people close to Romina and the daily appearance in the Court of Arrecife.

The legal entity will issue an order between today and tomorrow, which the prosecution hopes will be in line with these requirements.

 

Popular outcry against the release of Díaz

In addition to Romina's family and lawyers, members of feminist associations, Latin groups and inhabitants of Lanzarote have taken to the streets today to express their "discomfort" at Díaz's release from prison.

The attendees held a concentration in front of the Court of Arrecife, as they already did 15 days ago to protest for this same fact, where they chanted the phrases "We are all Romina" and "Enough is enough, of patriarchal justice", in memory and defense of the deceased.

Demonstration against the release from prison of Raúl Díaz, Romina's murderer. Video: José Luis Carrasco

 

Romina Celeste and her husband, Raúl Díaz Cachón
They are asking for 20 years for Romina's husband, accused of killing her and throwing her remains into the sea
Romina Celeste and her husband, Raúl Díaz Cachón
They request that the provisional detention be extended for Romina Celeste's husband, accused of her murder
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