Dominican Judge Clears Key Witness in Sudiksha Konanki’s Disappearance Case

Dominican Judge Clears Key Witness in Sudiksha Konanki’s Disappearance Case

A judge in the Dominican Republic has officially closed the case involving Joshua Steven Riibe, a key witness in the disappearance of University of Pittsburgh student, Sudiksha Konanki.

On Friday, Judge Edwin Rijo issued a written sentence outlining the legal basis for his decision to grant a habeas corpus motion for the 22-year-old Riibe. This ruling effectively concludes any ongoing legal action against him.

The judge’s detailed judgment reiterates that it does not present a new decision, confirming that the initial ruling, announced at the conclusion of a hearing on March 17, was immediately enforceable.

Earlier, the Dominican Republic court recognized Riibe’s habeas corpus writ, allowing him to move freely throughout the country until his next hearing set for March 28.

Riibe had been confined under substantial police oversight at the Riu Republica resort for 11 days prior to the judge’s ruling. The authorities had imposed restrictions on his movements, including the confiscation of his cellphone and passport.

Riibe’s legal team successfully argued that, as a witness rather than a suspect, police control over him constituted an unlawful restriction of his rights.

Following the conclusion of the hearing on March 18, Riibe’s attorneys reported that the Prosecutor’s Office of La Altagracia informed him of their readiness to return his passport. Although Riibe appreciated this decision, he opted to apply for a new passport at the U.S. Consulate for privacy reasons, which was promptly issued.

Details Surrounding Sudiksha Konanki’s Disappearance

Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old student, is believed to have vanished from the beach behind the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana during the early hours of March 6. Surveillance footage captured her and Riibe with a group around 4:15 a.m., shortly before she disappeared. Most members of their group left the beach around 6 a.m.; however, Riibe and Konanki remained.

Later that day, Riibe returned alone, and Konanki’s whereabouts remain a mystery nearly two weeks after her disappearance. According to a leaked police transcript, Riibe indicated that strong currents had pulled both he and Konanki away from the shore. In his statement to investigators, Riibe mentioned that he last saw her walking in knee-deep water before he fell asleep on a beach chair, overwhelmed by exhaustion.

The investigation into her disappearance has raised concerns among authorities and her family. In a communication to Dominican officials, Konanki’s parents requested her to be declared legally dead on March 17, citing insufficient evidence of foul play and Riibe’s cooperative behavior with investigators.

Legal Proceedings and Statements from Riibe’s Legal Team

Representatives from Guzmán Ariza, Riibe’s law firm, expressed their commitment to upholding due process and the constitutional guarantees outlined in Article 69 of the country’s Constitution. In a press release, they noted that the ruling reinforces essential legal principles and fosters trust in the Dominican Republic’s justice system.