Four mothers protest in Santo Domingo demanding justice for their children Santo Domingo – On Thursday, four mothers gathered outside the Palace of Justice in the Distrito Nacional to demand answers from authorities regarding the deaths of their children. The protest, held on a Thursday in 2024, featured photographs of the victims and banners calling for justice. The women said they would continue their campaign until the responsible parties are prosecuted. Maribel Pérez – “Maiki” Maribel Pérez, mother of Michael Antonio Cabrera (known as “Maiki”), said her son was shot in the back while working at a shop across from a gas station in Cristo Rey. Pérez identified a man named Ismael as the alleged perpetrator. She explained that the case is in the preliminary stage before the Second Court of Instruction, but that the hearing has been postponed repeatedly over the past 11 months. “I am asking for justice for my son and I will not give up,” Pérez told reporters while holding a banner that read “Justicia para Maiki.” She added that she has seen the accused in front of the shop where her son worked and is prepared to maintain her accusation. Israelina Contreras – Johana Lizbeth Israelina Contreras, mother of Johana Lizbeth, said her daughter has been missing for four months and her body has not been found. Contreras names Gerson Sánchez Bran, a member of the army, as the suspect. She claims the accused admitted to killing her daughter and disposing of the body in the sea after the girl allegedly refused to have sexual relations with him. Contreras expressed frustration with the authorities’ handling of the case and said she still trusts the judicial system to bring justice. She displayed photographs of her daughter and the alleged perpetrator. Angelina Sánchez Reynoso – Yohanka Angelina Sánchez Reynoso, mother of Yohanka Montero Sánchez, has been seeking justice for almost three years. She says her daughter was shot multiple times in an alleged contract killing. A person has already been sentenced to 20 years in prison, but Sánchez Reynoso believes the intellectual author of the crime remains in Spain. She claims that the case file contains information about a possible money transfer from Spain that should be investigated by the Public Ministry. “I am asking for justice for my daughter, and I feel abandoned by our justice system,” she said. She also expressed concerns for her own safety due to her insistence on a full investigation. Unified demand The four mothers stood together outside the Palace of Justice, each holding banners with their children’s photographs and messages such as “Justicia para Maiki” and “Justicia para Yohanka.” Although the cases are distinct, the mothers united under a common demand: that investigations advance, judicial processes conclude, and the deaths of their children are not left unpunished. They pledged to continue approaching authorities and publicizing their cases until they receive answers from the justice system.
Article source: El Nuevo Diario | Image credit: El Nuevo Diario