Pedro Lepicheo Machacan shot by civilians who descended of a pickup while he was in the whereabouts of his community.
Public statement.
By Mapuche Community Añyn Mapu and Pedro Lepicheo Machacan.
This monday at approximately 10:40 am in the area of Colo-Colo, Mapuche community Huentelolen, "I was at the bus stop with my family and neighbors from the area waiting for transport to head to Cañete. When we saw that a gray 4x4 watched us from about 150mts. to the north, he stayed there about 5 minutes, then advanced south passing next to us, watching us. He returned after about 10 minutes. He stopped about 6 feet in front of us, remaining parked for about 2 minutes, when suddenly three men got out with weapon (handgun) in hand, pointing, without identifying themselves they told me "stay there weon" and fired a shot in the air. I immediately turned around and ran into the community, while the three followed me firing at close range (about 10mts) about six times, I was shot in the legs. I was followed some 200mts. I ran between some houses and left them behind. I did not receive any bullet impact but the shots did not pass me at more than 1 meter.
I do not understand the reasons for this procedure nor why they acted so violently against me."
After contacting a lawyer to submit an appeal for protection and seek support against this violent action of armed civilians, our brother returns to the scene with the lawyer and his assistant, where they find a cartridge or shell of a 9mm pistol, all this was witnessed and photographed by people from the Public Defender (image attached to the statement)
IT IS MADE CLEAR THAT OUR BROTHER WHO LIVED TROUGH THIS SITUATION IS A MEMBER OF THE MAPUCHE COMMUNITY AÑYN MAPU, A COMMUNITY THAT FOR THE LAST 5 YEARS HAS BEEN INVOLVED IN A PROCESS OF RECOVERY OF ANCESTRAL LANDS. FOR WHICH OUR BROTHER IS SERVING A SENTENCE OF 4 YEARS WITH THE PROBATION ENDING APRIL NEXT YEAR.
As Mapuche community Añyn Mapu, in the process of reclaiming territory, we call on human rights and to the other mobilized territories be attentive to this racist attitude of armed men in civilian vehicles, firing at us at close range without provocation just for being Mapuche.
Monday December 17, 2012.
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