Dominican Republic’s nightclub owner and his sister were arrested 2 months after roof collapse killed 236 people

The owner of a nightclub in the Dominican Republic where more than 200 people died after the plant’s roof collapsed in April has been arrested.

Antonio Espaillat and his sister Maribel Espailt was taken into custody on Thursday 12 June, Associated Press reported. The authorities have 48 hours to raise charges for a judge.

“Both defendants showed enormous irresponsibility and negligence by not physically intervening to prevent the club’s roof from collapsing, as it ultimately did, and caused 236 deaths and more than 180 injuries,” said the Dominican Republic’s lawyer general in a statement.

Rubby Pérez, the famous Merengue singer who performed at Jet Set Night Club in Santo Domingo when the roof collapsed, was among the deaths when the building’s roof collapsed on April 8.

About 515 people were present for his performance.

Former MLB player Octavio Dotel and Tony Blanco Died too, like Nelsy CruzThe governor of the northwestern Dominican Republic’s province Montecristi and sister of former Major League -Baseball star Nelson Cruz.

At that time, Antonio said he would cooperate with an investigation led by a Dominican Republic Committee.

“I will meet everything,” he said Per Ap. “I’m not getting anywhere.”

“To the victim’s families, I want to say I’m sorry. I’m very sad,” Antonio said during an extended local TV interview on April 23, reported the news outlet. “I’m completely ruined.”

“There are no words to express the pain caused by this event,” he added.

Jet Set was handed over to Antonio and Maribel by their mother after she founded it when he was only 6 years old. The room celebrated the 50th anniversary in the evening of the tragedy, according to posts on social media at that time.

While Antonio told Telesistema’s electric Dia program “There was no warning” that the roof in the building was unstable, he reportedly mentioned that the roof had routine water filtration problems for several years, which originated from its air conditioning units.

Dominican Republic President Luis Abinader before expressed his condolences in a statement about x.

“We deeply regret the tragedy that occurred at Jet Set the nightclub. We have followed the incident minute by minute since it occurred. All relief agencies have provided the necessary support and work tirelessly in the rescue efforts. Our prayers are with the affected families,” said Abinades.

In Thursday’s update, prosecutors described the club owner as a powerful businessman in the Dominican Republic who owns exclusive entertainment centers and dozens of local radio stations.

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They claimed that Espillallat tried to scare or manipulate employees, as they could serve as witnesses in the case.

The cause of the roof collapse remains during investigation.