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Anger at Paraguay blaze verdict | Anger at Paraguay blaze verdict |
(20 minutes later) | |
Clashes have broken out in the capital of Paraguay after the verdict on the owner of a shopping mall where more than 350 died during a blaze was heard. | |
Juan Pio Paiva, his son Daniel and a guard, Daniel Areco, were found guilty of negligent homicide, not murder. | |
Prosecutors had sought a murder conviction, claiming the men locked fire doors during the 2004 blaze. | Prosecutors had sought a murder conviction, claiming the men locked fire doors during the 2004 blaze. |
Relatives of the dead and survivors reacted angrily to news that the men were found guilty of the lesser crime. | |
Some 40 people were injured in clashes with riot police as relatives reacted to the verdicts read out in the indoor stadium used as a courtroom in the capital, Asuncion. | |
Looting | |
Those listening surged towards the judges' desk as the decision was read. | |
The three men face a maximum prison term of seven years. | |
According to the law in Paraguay, those convicted of murder can be punished with a 25-year sentence. | |
"They have lit another fire under us all," said Clara Benitez, one of the victims. | |
Outside the packed stadium, crowds ransacked a supermarket belonging to the owner of the shopping complex, pulling bags of sugar and bottles of alcohol from the shelves and dumping them on the streets. | |
Police were also reported to have put out several cars that had been set cars alight by angry relatives and their supporters. | |
Corruption allegations | Corruption allegations |
"The judges are corrupt and now they will have to face the consequences," said Liz Torres, a member of an association of victims' families. | "The judges are corrupt and now they will have to face the consequences," said Liz Torres, a member of an association of victims' families. |
Pavia denied claims he had locked the doors to prevent looting | Pavia denied claims he had locked the doors to prevent looting |
"This is inhuman and wrong and we urge people to come and support us," she said. | |
The three men pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, saying that the doors had been shut to prevent looting. | The three men pleaded not guilty to the murder charges, saying that the doors had been shut to prevent looting. |
The fire broke out in a restaurant in the Ycua Bolanos supermarket on the outskirts of the capital in August 2004. | The fire broke out in a restaurant in the Ycua Bolanos supermarket on the outskirts of the capital in August 2004. |
It quickly engulfed the rest of the complex causing a roof to collapse. | It quickly engulfed the rest of the complex causing a roof to collapse. |
At least 369 people were killed in the fire and another 400 injured as they tried to escape. | At least 369 people were killed in the fire and another 400 injured as they tried to escape. |