Luis Pedro Demostenes Solar Welchs
Victim of the military dictatorship — 18 years old.
Background
Luis Pedro Demostenes Solar Welchs
Victim of the military dictatorship — 18 years old.
Case summary
Luis Pedro Solar Welchs, an 18-year-old youth with no political affiliation, was executed by State agents on October 23, 1973, at a military facility in Arica. Although the official version alleged that he attempted to seize a sentry's weapon, the Commission rejected this account as implausible and verified the violation of his fundamental rights.
Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos[1]
On October 23, 1973, the press in Arica reported the execution of 18-year-old Luis Pedro SOLAR WELCHS.
«In the early hours of October 23, 1973, Luis Pedro Solar Welchs was caught by an Ejército patrol inside a properly marked military facility. While the detainee was in custody awaiting interrogation, he unexpectedly attempted to seize a weapon from a sentry with the clear intention of subsequently firing upon him, a fact that forced another sentry to execute him on the spot».
This Commission does not accept the official version that was provided, as it is not plausible that a person who was inside a military facility, properly guarded according to the military's own version, would have attempted to seize a weapon from his sentry.
Furthermore, even if it had been true, it is not reasonable to think that the means to prevent it would be to cause his death. Therefore, the Commission is convinced that Luis Solar was executed by State agents, in violation of his fundamental rights.
References
- 1Museum of Memoryhttps://interactivos.museodelamemoria.cl/victims/?p=1985