Arson Attack in San Luis Estate in Vilcun [Wallmapu], Property of [Settler] Ewald Luchsinger

Posted on June 11, 2014 by The Women's Coordinating Committee For a Free Wallmapu [Toronto]

Firefighters attempting to stop a fire at night

[Editor’s Note: The Luchsingers are well known rich Settlers in Wallmapu that have been occupying Mapuche Territory (with financial ties to the forestry industry, government officials and paramilitary militias) displacing surrounding indigenous communities for the past century. Mapuche Weichafe [Warrior] Matias Catrileo was shot in the back and killed by a police officer (Walter Ramirez) in January 2008, during a peaceful land reclamation in one of the Luchsinger Estates. The officer who murdered Matias was given a light sentence of three years probation in 2013 and continues to work in the Chilean National Police Force.

In January 2013, on the fifth anniversary of Matias’ murder, the Luchsinger-Mackay Estate was set ablaze, resulting in the deaths of the couple. Mapuche traditional authority, Machi [Medicine Healer] Celestino Cordova, was arrested and charged for having allegedly participated in the action resulting in the deaths of the Luchsinger –Mackay couple and was sentenced to 18 years in prison in February 2014.]

Tuesday, June 10th, 2014

The arson attack occurred at 11:30pm on Monday in the Region of Arauco.

According to preliminary information obtained by La Radio, the events took place in the San Luis Estate in the area of General Lopez, in the township of Vilcun.

The estate is the property of Ewald Luchsinger, a cousin to the children of the Luchsinger-Mackay couple who died in a similar arson attack in January 2013.

The attack was allegedly carried out by at least 4 masked men that carried short and long firearms. They allegedly beat the groundskeeper to then set the house ablaze and three cellars containing potatoes and machinery.

Police, Investigations Units and the Public Prosecutor’s Office were dispatched to the scene to investigate the cause of the incident.

Source: The Women’s Coordinating Committee for a Free Wallmapu [Toronto], via Radio Bio Bio

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