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Main Suspect Detained in Agostina Vega Homicide as Associates Are Held for Alleged Cover-Up

Prosecutors say forensic evidence, including cellphone analysis, gives them enough grounds to press charges and to prepare a request to send the case to trial.

Overview

  • Prosecutor Raúl Garzón ordered preventive detention this week for Claudio Barrelier and for two people accused of aggravated encubrimiento, a measure meant to keep the investigation intact.
  • Barrelier is formally accused of sexual abuse with access carnal in real concurrence with a triply aggravated homicide that the Fiscalía frames as a femicide.
  • Marianela Palmero, Barrelier’s partner and the mother of his child, was detained after forensic analysis of Barrelier’s cellphone and on July 2 declined to testify before the prosecutor while remaining charged with aggravated encubrimiento.
  • Soledad Andreani and Osvaldo Fassetta were also detained on charges of aggravated encubrimiento and have denied knowledge of the crime when questioned by investigators.
  • The victim’s mother has publicly demanded life imprisonment and criticized early police delays, and the Fiscalía says it will keep gathering evidence as it prepares the requerimiento de elevación a juicio, the formal step before an oral trial.