This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It will not be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://news.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/-/1/hi/world/americas/6212176.stm

The article has changed 3 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Anger at Paraguay blaze verdict Anger at Paraguay blaze verdict
(20 minutes later)
Clashes have broken out in the capital of Paraguay after the owner of a shopping mall where more than 350 died during a fire was sentenced. 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. 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 the men were found guilty of the lesser crime. 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 allegationsCorruption 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.
"This is inhuman and wrong and we urge people to come and support us," she said in the capital, Asuncion.
Pavia denied claims he had locked the doors to prevent lootingPavia denied claims he had locked the doors to prevent looting
As the verdict was read, relatives of victims present threw chairs and overturned tables in the courtroom. "This is inhuman and wrong and we urge people to come and support us," she said.
Outside, police in riot gear were have reported to have surrounded the court building, bringing water cannon to try and contain the violence.
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.