leader Antonio Leiva,
two members of the resistance allegedly killed by
hired assassins.
According to a preliminary report from the
Committee of Relatives of Disappeared Detainees in
Honduras (COFADEH), Contreras was shot twice in the
face 100m from his home by two unknown men on a
motorcycle. He was taken to hospital but died
shortly after arriving, Telesur reports.
The Center for the Prevention, Treatment and
Rehabilitation of Victims of Torture and their
Families (CPTRT) affirmed that "according to witness
statements provided by relatives, it is presumed
that the attacks were perpetrated by hired killers,
given that none of the victim’s belongings were
missing, ruling out the possibility of robbery."
Another member of the resistance front, Lenca
leader Antonio Leiva, was also found dead in Santa
Bárbara, in the west of the country. According to
sources close to the victim, he was kidnapped in the
morning and his body was discovered in the afternoon
in a village in the area.
COFADEH President Berta Oliva informed the
international media that several opposition leaders
have received anonymous death threats and her
organization fears for their safety.
Among those threatened, she mentioned
presidential candidate Carlos Reyes, agricultural
leader Rafael Alegría, labor leader Juan Barahona,
left-wing Deputy Silvia Ayala and human rights
activist Andrés Pavón.
TEGUCIGALPA,
October 4.—The Honduran resistance and human rights
organizations have condemned the murder of teacher
Mario Contreras, vice principal of the Abelardo
Fortín Institute, and Lenca