SANTO DOMINGO. - The Dominican Human Rights Commission handed over to the Police this Monday a man suspected of murdering Civil Aeronautics (DGAC) official Christopher Angel Martinez in early July.

Manuel Mendez Ortiz, alias Maiz,  52, when appearing in Police headquarters categorically denied being involved in the DGAC inspector’s death.

The detainee says he doesn’t understand what the Police has against him, because he was released from jail less than one month ago, accused of assault in an exchange house, of which he also affirms being innocent. He is also suspected of taking part in the gunfire against the journalist Euri Cabral.

Méndez Ortiz says he fears for his life, because in his view he could be killed at any time and allege it was an “exchange of gunfire.”

Méndez Ortiz, who resides in this capital’s Maria Auxiliadora district, claims to be a cabinetmaker. he has 14 children.

Dominican Human Rights Commission president Virgilio Almánzar requested that the Police guarantee the detainee’s safety, which Police spokesman Simón Diaz affirming that his rights will be respected.

The Customs inspector’s murder

The Police also announced the arrest of a third suspect in the March 2 murder of Customs inspector Ramon Florentino, who was gunned down as he was about to enter the tunnel in the Las Américas Highway.

Diaz said the suspect is Luis Javier Silié González (Biruliña), who confessed to investigators that he was only driving the motorcycle used to commit the crime.