Seguridad Minister Calls
For Investigation Into
Police Action
The Ministro de
Seguridad Pública,
Fernanod Berrocal, has
ordered an investigation
into the confrontation
between members of the
Fuerza Pública (police)
and oppositors to the
Tratado de Libre
Comercio (TLC) in San
Ramón last week.
The security chief said
he will not tolerate
abuses by the police.
The incident occurred
last Friday in San
Ramón, following a
speech by president
Oscar Arias promoting
the "Si" vote for the
free trade deal with the
United States.
A group of young men,
one as young a 16, who
are opposed to the TLC
say that they were
confronted by police in
a unprovoked attack, a
scuffle ensued and the
men were handcuffed and
hauled off to jail,
where they were later
released.
Berrocal said that the
initial reports indicate
that one of the young
men pulled a gun and was
the reason for the
police reaction.
However, after seeing
the video shown on
channel 7's telenoticias,
the minister decided to
call for a complete
investigation of the
incident, concentrating
on the actions of the
police.
Berrocal added that this
type of incident -
violent confrontations
between "Si" and "No"
camps - is an isolated
case.
Berrocal assured that he
has sent the police an
order to act firmly, but
prudently, against any
provocations by TLC
protestors.
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