Thousands of people have taken part in an anti-femicide protest in Buenos Aires, demanding justice for a girl and two young women who were tortured and murdered in a crime that has shocked Argentina.
The brutal killings of 15-year-old Lara Gutierrez, and Morena Verdi and Brenda del Castillo, who were both 20, were livestreamed on social media.
Police believe a drug-trafficking gang was responsible, and that the crime was broadcast as a warning to others.
They had arrested five suspects – three men and two women – as of Friday, according to National Security Minister Patricia Bullrich, but a 20-year-old Peruvian man they say is the group’s leader remains at large.
The victims were lured into a van believing they were headed for a party on 19 September, according to investigators.
But authorities said this was part of a plan to “punish” the girl and young women for violating gang code, serving as a warning to others.
One of the detainees revealed a video of the incident under questioning, according to Javier Alonso, security minister for the Buenos Aires province.
In it, a gang leader is heard saying: “This is what happens to those who steal drugs from me.”
Authorities have released a photograph of the alleged Peruvian mastermind in the hope he is recognised.
The bodies of the three victims were found buried at a property in a southern suburb of Buenos Aires on Wednesday, five days after they went missing.
Credit: bbc.com
