April 12th is the date set for the trial hearing preparation against the brothers Fernando and Rodrigo Meliman, accused of robbery with intimidation and arson against the San Guillermo farm on June 28, 2015. [Allegedly] on that date, around 30 people went onto the Galilea’s farm property, where they proceeded to burn three sheds, one Backhoe, two tractors, and animal forage; they also spraypainting “Galilea get out” on the property.

The prosecutor Juan Yáñez was appointed full-time by the regional prosecutor Julio Contardo to investigate crimes associated with rural violence (euphemism for Mapuche resistance) in the province of Arauco, and asked the court to punish the accused with five years in prison for the fire. He also requested 12 additional years for robbery with intimidation.

The Meliman brothers have been in the Lebu prison for eight months and, according to their relatives, the prosecution [should] respond to the decision made by the commoners of recovering territory usurped by the installed landowners illegally for industry and Galilea’s political power.

The trial’s hearing preparation is scheduled for April 12 at 10:00 AM at the Court of Guarantee of Cañete.