Weak Land Law Led to 5 murder in Miches.-

Miches.

MICHES, Dominican Republic.- Last week’s murder of five people over a land dispute in this eastern coastal town opened a Pandora’s Box, which reveals not only the lucrative business it implies, but the mafia and the irregularities many use to become millionaires over night.
Land dispute cases are filed daily and reach more than 500 per year, for one judge just in El Seibo.
It’s no longer just the "land hunter" lawyers who’re on the lookout for cases to pressure the legitimate owners with possibilities of selling to foreign investors, as organized rings have now entered the lucrative business, forging papers and using all types of ruses.
Even the area’s Dominican Agrarian Institute (IAD) officials have been questioned for taking part in the business.
With lands for tourist projects at US$35 per meter, many are willing to take risks, according to the area’s own lawyers.
One of these, Guillermo Nolasco, said the authorities must confront the situation, since the weakness of some laws often brings about fatal outcome, such as last week.
He said the implementation of El Seibo’s Superior Land Court, approved several years ago, would clear the 500 cases pending with Land Court president Eduardo Chahín, the judge who hears up to 6 cases daily and 50 per month.
Land invasions and lawsuits in the East region increase by the day.
Among the land dispute cases in Miches is the one pitting the Hoffiz family with the Venezuelan mogul Gustavo Cisneros, whose been subpoenaed several times to appear before the El Seibo Penal Court, accused of violation of property.

publish by Diario Libre 2009.-



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