Ernesto Zarate Gallardo
Victim of the military dictatorship — 38 years old.
Background
Ernesto Zarate Gallardo
Victim of the military dictatorship — 38 years old.
Case summary
Ernesto Zarate Gallardo, a 38-year-old inmate with no political affiliation, was shot to death on September 24, 1973, at the Arauco prison. His death, at the hands of prison guards and Carabineros after suffering a mental breakdown, was declared a human rights violation due to the excessive use of force by State agents.
Museo de la Memoria y los Derechos Humanos[1]
Ernesto Gallardo Zárate died that day at 9:15 hours, at the Hospital de Arauco, due to hemoperitoneum caused by a ruptured liver; a gunshot wound, as stated in the Death Certificate.
According to information obtained from the judicial proceedings, at the time of the events, Ernesto Gallardo was being held in the Arauco Prison, serving a sentence for the crime of arson. On September 24, he suffered a mental breakdown and assaulted the prison guards.
The prison warden requested assistance from Carabineros. The police officers and several guards used their firearms, striking Gallardo Zárate, who subsequently died.
The Criminal Court of Arauco initiated the corresponding proceedings, dismissing the case fully and temporarily, as the Court deemed that the commission of a crime had not been fully justified in the records.
Considering the information gathered and the investigation conducted by this Corporation, the Superior Council declared Ernesto Gallardo Zárate a victim of human rights violations by State agents who made excessive use of force.
References
- 1Museum of Memoryhttps://interactivos.museodelamemoria.cl/victims/?p=2671