The Chilean Prosecutor’s Office extends to the entire country the criteria of preventive detention for foreigners detained without identity documents

( Spanish) — The Chilean National Prosecutor’s Office reported on Monday that it extended to the entire country the criteria under which prosecutors investigating crimes of homicide can request preventive detention for foreigners they detain and who do not have an identity document.

Through its official Twitter account, the institution added that the decision had already been communicated to the Council of Regional Prosecutors.

Last Thursday, the national prosecutor, Ángel Valencia, announced this change in legal procedures in the Santiago Metropolitan Region, amid the commotion over the death of First Corporal Daniel Palma Yánez, a member of the Carabineros. In this case, the Prosecutor’s Office requested collaboration to find two people, presumably of Venezuelan nationality.

According to this new legal procedure, if the detained person is a foreigner, without documents and does not appear in the system, the Prosecutor’s Office will request preventive detention until their identity can be established.