Today is a pivotal day in the case of Sudiksha Konanki, the missing University of Pittsburgh student who vanished in Punta Cana on March 6. Joshua Riibe, the last known person to see her, has a hearing at 2 p.m., and experts believe he will either be released or formally placed under arrest.
Family Pushes for Declaration of Death
Sudiksha’s parents, Subbarayudu and Sreedevi Konanki, have formally requested that Dominican authorities declare their daughter legally deceased. In a letter addressed to Dominican authorities, they acknowledged the exhaustive search efforts and the authorities' conclusion that Sudiksha likely drowned. Her clothes were found near the last place she was seen, and while Riibe has been cooperating with investigators, no evidence of foul play has been found.
The family’s request reflects their need for closure. They expressed that while no legal declaration can truly ease their grief, it would allow them to move forward and handle personal and legal matters related to her absence. They also stated their willingness to comply with all necessary legal formalities in this deeply painful process.
Legal Maneuvers and Habeas Corpus Petition
Riibe has been detained in the Dominican Republic for over a week without formal charges. His legal team has filed a habeas corpus petition, arguing that his rights are being violated and that he should be allowed to return home. Dominican authorities, however, have seized his passport and placed him under constant police supervision, raising questions about the true nature of his status in the investigation.
Attorney General Yeni Berenice Reynoso’s Next Move
Riibe has reportedly sparred multiple times with Yeni Berenice Reynoso, the high-profile Attorney General of the Dominican Republic known for her aggressive legal tactics. Legal experts believe she still has more moves to make before this case reaches a breaking point.
Prominent defense attorney Félix Portes, known for representing rapper Tekashi69 in the Dominican Republic, believes an arrest warrant is already in place and could be executed at any moment. Portes notes that Dominican authorities claim to be treating Riibe as a witness, but their actions suggest otherwise:
“You don't take a witness’s passport away, and you don’t keep your witness in a room guarded by police,” Portes said. “The prosecutor is trying to show the world that he's there voluntarily, but that’s not the case. His liberty has been restricted, so he’s not free.”
The Stakes for Today’s Hearing
Portes predicts that Riibe’s defense team will argue that his detention is unlawful, and if the judge agrees, Riibe could walk free immediately. However, Portes believes that Reynoso, aware of the intense international scrutiny, is unlikely to let that happen without a fight.
“I’ve dealt with the Attorney General for 15 years, and I don’t think she’s going to want to look bad in front of the international media. I’m pretty sure she already has an arrest warrant. She probably wanted to wait for the investigation to evolve before she executes it. Once she does, she only has 48 hours before he has to be arraigned.”
What Comes Next?
If Riibe is released, it would signal a major shift in the case. However, if he is formally arrested, it could mean authorities believe they have enough evidence to pursue charges, possibly for criminal negligence, which carries a two-year sentence in the Dominican Republic.
Either way, today’s hearing will be a defining moment in the investigation. Stay tuned for updates as this case unfolds.
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