Paraguay Judge Orders Capture of Police Officers Convicted of Extortion

A Paraguayan judge has ordered the capture of two police officers, Evelyng Núñez and Cemión Arce, to begin serving their firm 4-year prison sentences. The officers were convicted for their involvement in a 2022 extortion scheme, referred to as an "apriete," targeting a young mother.

According to court documents, the officers detained the woman in a patrol car and demanded money in exchange for her release. The conviction includes charges of deprivation of liberty, attempted extortion, and aggravated passive bribery. The sentence was initially handed down by a trial court on May 7, 2024, and later confirmed by an appellate court on October 11, 2024.

Judge María Lidia Wyder Mendieta issued the order to revoke the officers' conditional liberty and initiate their capture. Sub-official Cemión Arce is to be sent to the Specialized Group of the Police, while officer Evelyng Núñez will be transferred to the Women's Penitentiary Complex in Emboscada. The officers had appealed the initial ruling, but their appeals were ultimately rejected by the specialized criminal appeals court.

The case highlights a judicial effort to hold law enforcement accountable for abuses of power. The firm sentences aim to deter similar criminal actions by police officers and ensure justice for victims of extortion and unlawful detention.