The statements of Lucía Topolansky in the book The Indomitables of Pablo Cohen generated a strong controversy in Uruguay. The former Uruguayan vice president said that there were assumptions false testimonies in the trials that ended with the conviction of soldiers for crimes committed during the last dictatorship (1973-1985). His comments were rejected by his colleagues. Wide Frontfor the union movement and for the organization Mothers and Relatives of Disappeared Detainees.
The statements caused the prosecutor for Crimes Against Humanity, Ricardo Perciballewill summon her to testify to find out if she has information. However, heJustice did not grant the request of the Prosecutor’s Office. The judge argued that it was not up to that office to continue the investigation.
“They came to one of our comrades to say – no matter what political sector -: ‘I lied, I said this and that, and we put so-and-so in prison.’ And he answered: ‘I’m not going to say it.’ There they accuse you of being a traitor.”he stated. The former vice president added that, although they know the names of those who allegedly engaged in this practice, they will not reveal those identities. “Nor we are going to say it because we are not traitors or buttons”, he emphasized.
After the controversy, Jose Mujica He also expressed himself in this case. “I didn’t read the book, or what Lucía said, I don’t read the books about us, it’s very boring. Now, those things are known to us, yes. I’m not going to say that it was general, but there were people who came out with a lot of resentment and found that that was exactly what they went through. Not all, but I know there were cases”declared Mujica in an interview with the program Easy to deviate from FM Del Sol.
On December 18, the organization Madres y Familiares asked Topolansky in a statement to call for silence or retract his statements.
The next day, Topolansky He sent them a letter with a response that he wrote by hand. “I would like to tell you, first of all, that as your organization’s statement expects, I will call for silence.. I can’t take it back because I knew what I said“wrote the former vice president of Uruguay.
“It was a mistake to say it in the conversations that the writer recorded to make his book. I did not read the draft of it prior to its editing. I should have done it and deleted what was said. I take responsibility for the mistake and the consequences”he added.
Topolansky He indicated that with his statements he was referring to trials in Buenos Airesin which there were “certain pressures,” according to her. In addition, he was available to provide more details to the organization.
“For my part, I won’t do anything else. At this moment I am not a civil servant nor an elected senator. Yes I am on the list“, he concluded, before sending a fraternal greeting.
The letter was disclosed by the Relatives account, which published a new statement. “Our Association has nothing more to add to what has already been announced, more than urging, once again, Ms. Topolansky to appear before Justice so that it provides the corresponding paths to be taken given the assertions made.”
Mujica He referred again to the controversy generated. “They put together an entire novel with a phrase from Lucía“, he declared this Thursday to the weekly Search. He said that comment was said “quite a long time ago” and in the framework of an interview for the book. “Nobody came to talk to us before to find out a little more about the context in which it had been said.“lamented the former president.
Mujica He highlighted that Justice in Uruguay “is the best there can be” and noted that “the majority of those who have gone to testify for political causes referring to the recent past have told the truth”. But he pointed out: “As with any big issue, there are exceptions.”. “It is important that it is clear that they are exceptions,” he said.
“I’m fighting for my life, months away from turning 90… Don’t screw meleave me alone. I’m not going to screw anyone or get involved either,” he concluded.
