The Panamanian authorities yesterday discovered a mass grave with the bodies of six minors - between 1 and 17 years old - and a pregnant woman, in an area close to where, a few hours earlier, fifteen people had been kidnapped by a sect, in the province of Veraguas. The power of attorney confirmed this in a statement, adding that the woman was the mother of five of the minors and was 4-6 months pregnant.
However, it is not yet clear how the victims died.
On Wednesday, the authorities rescued 15 people held hostage in the nearby Ngabe Bugle region, an area populated by indigenous communities on the Caribbean coast of Panama, about 250 kilometers from the capital.
Ten suspects have been arrested, including a minor, and are expected to appear in court today or tomorrow. One of the arrested would be the father of the pregnant woman found in the mass grave. National Police Director General Alexis Munoz said the rescued people showed signs of mistreatment and that members of the sect called "The New Light of God" were attempting to indoctrinate them.
Panama: 6 minors and a pregnant woman in a mass grave
2020-01-17T16:51:59.141Z
After the release of 15 people held hostage by a sect (ANSA)