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Murdered nun case refused { June 5 1998 } Original Source Link: (May no longer be active)    http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/107365.stm http://news.bbc.co.uk/2/hi/americas/107365.stm Friday, June 5, 1998 Published at 15:46 GMT 16:46 UK World: Americas El Salvador murdered nuns case stays shut The public prosecutor's office in El Salvador has refused to reopen a case involving the murder of three American nuns and a missionary, in spite of evidence that those who ordered the attack have yet to be prosecuted. The families of the victims have called for a fresh investigation into the killings, which took place in 1980, but the chief prosecutor Manuel Cordova said the time lag made it legally impossible to revive the case. Mr Cordova also said it would be the authorities' final word on the matter. Shocking deaths The three Roman Catholic nuns and a young missionary were attacked by a group of soldiers on a country lane in El Salvador in 1980. The women were raped and shot dead. The BBC's Central America correspondent says the crime was one of the most shocking episodes in El Salvador's civil conflict, and prompted the United States Government to cut off military aid. Five soldiers were later convicted of the killings, which the Salvadoran Government continues to describe as acts of common crime. Relatives of the murdered women who have been pressing for a proper investigation for more than 20 years are convinced that high-ranking military officers ordered the attack because of the victims' alleged links to left-wing guerrillas. This theory was said to have been confirmed earlier this year by the jailed soldiers themselves. Their reported confessions have renewed public interest in the case, strengthening calls for a fresh investigation. Disappointed by the latest decision, the victims' families are now considering their next legal move, which may involve an appeal to either the Salvadoran or international courts.

Chomsky salvador { December 7 1990 } Cuba criticizes reagan for salvador war { June 7 2004 } El mozote massacre { December 10 1981 } General cleared churchwomen deaths { November 3 2000 } Generals connected to soa found liable for torture { July 23 2002 } Genocide { March 31 1980 } Killing 4 women not policy { October 19 2000 } Murdered nun case refused { June 5 1998 } Negroponte knowledge of 1980s death squads { March 21 2005 } Nuns raped murdered Nuns [jpg] Pentagon considers salvador option in iraq Prey for nuns [jpg] Rapist murderers of nuns in elsalvador released { July 22 1998 } Romero { March 24 2002 } Salvador commie threat just poor people { January 29 2007 } Salvador newsclips { October 22 1987 } Suit filed oscar romero death { September 17 2003 } Time line { July 18 2002 } Torture victims win { July 24 2002 } US considers salvador option for iraq { January 10 2005 } Us role death romero { March 24 2002 } Files Listed: 22

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