A hearing was held at the Court of Appeals to request that the investigation into the transphobic murder of Diana Sacayán not be closed. For three hours, LGBTQ+ activists demonstrated outside the courthouse demanding justice. The Court is expected to issue a ruling in the coming days, before the judicial recess. (#BUENOSAIRES) – Under a blazing sun, representatives of LGBTQ+ organizations, family members, and activists mobilized this morning in front of the Court of Appeals in Buenos Aires to demand #JusticeForDianaSacayán. Blocking Viamonte Street, they maintained their chants, drumming, and sirens for three hours while the hearing was held to argue against closing the investigation into the transphobic murder of Diana Sacayán. The activist and leader of the trans community was stabbed thirteen times and found dead on October 13, 2015, in her apartment in the Flores neighborhood. So far, two people have been charged, but only one of the perpetrators has been identified: 23-year-old Gabriel David Marino. This information was released by the National Criminal Court of Instruction No. 4—headed by Matías Di Lello—and the Specialized Prosecutor's Unit for Violence against Women (UFEM)—headed by Mariela Labozetta—which intervened to ensure due diligence standards in cases of gender-based violence. The Prosecutor's Office and the Justice for Diana Sacayán Commission appealed the decision of National Criminal Court of Instruction No. 33 Judge Gustavo Pierreti, who closed the investigation in November and sent the case to trial. According to the Prosecutor's Office and the plaintiffs, there is still insufficient evidence to determine the guilt of the second suspect, and there could be another killer at large.   During the three-hour vigil, representatives of the organizations spoke to express their support for the family, demand justice, and honor Diana's memory.

Until all the murderers are condemned

“Diana’s case is an exception. Because trans murders are not investigated. So we have to defend that. But this exception wasn’t given to us by anyone: it’s the result of everyone’s struggle. So congratulations on getting this far. And we will continue fighting until all the murderers are convicted,” said Martín Canevaro of 100% Diversity and Rights. Today's hearing was key. Present before the three appellate judges were Mariela Labozetta, head of the Specialized Prosecutor's Unit for Violence against Women (UFEM); Diana's brother, Sasha Sacayán; and Luciana Sánchez, the lawyer for the Commission for Justice for Diana Sacayán.

 "We need the investigation to remain open."

INADI supported the lawsuit with a written statement. “This is noteworthy because it involves a state institution,” said Sánchez. He added, “What was discussed before the judges was the possibility of keeping the investigation open. The charges and the participation of one of the accused are not in question. We know they are two murderers; we want to know who the other one is. Sasha presented the evidence in writing. Now we have to wait for a decision; there are very few days left in the judicial year. And we hope the ruling will be favorable. We need the investigation to remain open to clarify what happened. That is what Diana deserves, and what we all deserve.” At the end of the demonstration, Sasha thanked everyone present for their work and activism throughout the year and urged them not to abandon the fight. “Let’s not give up. It’s crucial for justice to be served.” Some of the organizations present included: Anti-Discrimination Liberation Movement (MAL), Conurbanos por la Diversidad, Comunidad Homosexual Argentina (CHA), Mocha Celis, OTRANS, the Latin American and Caribbean Regional Office of the International Lesbian, Gay, Bisexual, Trans and Intersex Association (ILGLAC), Abosex, the Association for the Struggle for Travesti-Transsexual Identity (ALITT), 100% Diversidad y Derechos, La Cámpora Diversia, Nuevo Encuentro, Mala Junta, Colectiva Lohana Berkins, and ATE INADI.