A decide within the Dominican Republic has formally dominated to shut the case of the important thing witness within the spring break disappearance of the College of Pittsburgh scholar Sudikasha Konanki.
On Friday, Choose Edwin Rijo issued the total written sentence detailing the authorized reasoning behind his resolution to grant the habeas corpus movement filed on behalf of 22-year-old Joshua Steven Ribe, formally concluding the case towards him.
The detailed judgment doesn’t represent a brand new resolution, the assertion learn, as the unique ruling, introduced on the conclusion of the listening to on March 17, was instantly legitimate and enforceable.
A Dominican Republic decide dominated in favor of Riibe’s writ of habeas corpus, giving him the flexibility to maneuver freely inside the nation till his March 28 listening to.
MISSING AMERICAN IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: KEY WITNESS JOSHUA RIIBE LEAVES COUNTRY
Joshua Riibe arrives at a Dominican Republic courthouse alongside his father, Albert Riibe, on Tuesday, March 18, 2025. Riibe is a key witness within the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, an American faculty scholar who went lacking whereas swimming on a Punta Cana seaside on March 6. (Fox Information Digital)
Riibe had been holed up within the Riu Republica beneath strict police monitoring for 11 days earlier than a decide dominated the scenario violated Dominican legislation. His restrictions additionally included having his cellphone and passport confiscated.
Riibe’s attorneys efficiently argued in courtroom that, as a witness, not a suspect, police management over his actions over an 11-day span was illegal.
“On March 18th, following the conclusion of the habeas corpus listening to that ordered the discharge of our consumer, Joshua Riib, the Prosecutor’s Workplace of La Altagracia knowledgeable him of their readiness to return his passport,” Riibe’s attorneys mentioned. “Whereas Joshua appreciated this resolution, he selected, for privateness causes, to use for a brand new passport on the U.S. Consulate, which was promptly issued.
Riibe is believed to be one of many final individuals who noticed Konanki, 20, earlier than she vanished within the early morning hours of March 6 from the seaside behind their resort, the Riu Republica in Punta Cana.
MISSING AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT SEEN IN NEW HOTEL SECURITY FOOTAGE BEFORE DISAPPEARANCE
Sudiksha Konanki, 20, from northern Virginia, was first reported lacking on Thursday, March 6, after disappearing from a seaside within the Dominican Republic. (Handout, left, and Defensa Civil Dominicana, proper.)
Surveillance video exhibits he and Konanki went to the seaside with a gaggle round 4:15 a.m., the morning she vanished. Most of them have been seen leaving round 6 a.m. Riibe and Konanki remained on the seaside. Riibe got here again by himself hours later, and Konanki’s whereabouts stay unknown almost two weeks later.
In line with a leaked transcript of an interview with police, Riibe informed investigators he and Konanki have been each pulled away from the shore by a robust present, and so they struggled to make it again. He final noticed her strolling in knee-deep water earlier than he vomited and fell asleep on a seaside chair.
AMERICAN COLLEGE STUDENT SUDIKSHA KONANKI’S DISAPPEARANCE IN DOMINICAN REPUBLIC: TIMELINE
Sudiksha Konanki’s mother and father converse out after her daughter’s loss of life. (FOX 5 DC)
Her mother and father, in a letter to Dominican authorities, requested for her to be declared useless on Monday, March 17, citing the shortage of proof of foul play and Riibe’s continued cooperation with investigators.
“Our agency stays dedicated to upholding due course of and the constitutional ensures established beneath Article 69 of our Structure,” a consultant from Guzmán Ariza shared in a press launch. “This ruling reinforces these basic ideas and strengthens confidence within the justice system of the Dominican Republic.”
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“This favorable consequence was achieved by the dedication and tireless efforts of our authorized workforce. Guzmán Ariza stays steadfast in its dedication to defending the rule of legislation, making certain nationals and overseas residents alike can belief within the safety of their basic rights within the Dominican Republic.”
Fox Information Digital’s Michael Ruiz, Greg Wehner, Mara Robles, and Bryan Llenas contributed to this report.
Stepheny Value is a author for Fox Information Digital and Fox Enterprise. She covers subjects together with lacking individuals, homicides, nationwide crime instances, unlawful immigration, and extra. Story suggestions and concepts might be despatched to stepheny.value@fox.com
