Punta Cana, Dominican Republic, March 18, 2025 – Guzmán Ariza expresses its deep gratitude to the Dominican judiciary and all institutions involved in the Joshua Steven Riibe case for recognizing and upholding the rule of law and ensuring respect for his fundamental rights as a foreign citizen in the Dominican Republic.

From the outset, our firm was retained by the Riibe family to defend his fundamental rights and ensure compliance with due process as established in Article 69 of the Dominican Constitution.

We sincerely appreciate the cooperation provided by the U.S. Embassy’s Consular Agency in Bávaro, which has supported the family throughout this process. As a leading firm assisting foreign clients in the country, Guzmán Ariza reaffirms its commitment to defending due process and protecting the fundamental rights of all individuals in the Dominican Republic, both citizens and foreign nationals. We firmly believe in the importance of preserving the rule of law, not only as an essential principle of justice but also as a cornerstone of trust in our institutions and the image of our valued tourism industry.

We acknowledge the professional and courteous treatment afforded to our client by the Public Prosecutor’s Office, despite the irregular restrictions placed upon him.

Finally, we extend our heartfelt solidarity to the family of Sudiksha Konanki during these difficult times, joining in the collective hope for her safe return as soon as possible.

UPDATE – March 28, 2025

As scheduled at the hearing on March 18, Judge Edwin Rijo of the Criminal Chamber of the Court of First Instance of La Altagracia today issued the full written sentence detailing the legal reasoning behind his decision to grant the habeas corpus motion filed by Guzmán Ariza on behalf of Joshua Steven Riibe, officially concluding the case.

It is important to note that, in cases of this nature, the detailed judgment containing the court’s legal reasoning, as presented today, does not constitute a new decision. The original ruling announced at the conclusion of the hearing on March 18 was immediately valid and enforceable.

The Court ordered Mr. Riibe’s immediate release because he was unlawfully detained surpassing the maximum period of 48 hours permitted under the Constitution of the Dominican Republic and the Dominican Code of Criminal Procedure. According to these provisions, the Public Prosecutor’s Office is required to file formal charges within forty-eight hours following an arrest or detention.

Our firm remains committed to upholding due process and the constitutional guarantees established under Article 69 of our Constitution. This ruling reinforces these fundamental principles and strengthens confidence in the justice system of the Dominican Republic.

This favorable outcome was achieved through the dedication and tireless efforts of our legal team, comprised of firm partners Alfredo Guzmán-Saladín and Rhadaisis Espinal, Criminal Law Of Counsel Beatriz Santana and associate attorneys Helen Peralta and Esteban Sánchez.

Guzmán Ariza remains steadfast in its commitment to defending the rule of law, ensuring nationals and foreign citizens alike can trust in the protection of their fundamental rights in the Dominican Republic.

About Guzmán Ariza, Attorneys at Law and Consultants

Established in 1927, Guzmán Ariza is the largest law firm in the Dominican Republic, with ten strategically located offices nationwide. We provide a full range of legal services through a multilingual team of experts.

Throughout nearly 100 years of legal practice, Guzmán Ariza has built a reputation in the local and international business communities as a reliable and respected firm known for delivering results.