In a significant development, a 57-year-old man was taken into custody early Tuesday morning on suspicion of issuing death threats to Marcelo Metediera, the president of the National Road Safety Unit (Unasev). The arrest came as part of an investigation into a series of ominous messages that were posted on Unasev’s Facebook page last week, in which Metediera was explicitly threatened with violence.
According to a statement from the Ministry of the Interior, the suspect was apprehended at approximately 7:30 am during a raid on his residence in El Pinar, Canelones. During the operation, law enforcement officials seized two cellphones from the individual, which are expected to be analyzed as part of the ongoing investigation. The case is being led by the Cybercrime Unit of the Department of Crimes Against Computer Systems, highlighting the complex and tech-savvy nature of the alleged offense.
The events leading up to the arrest began when Metediera, following a spate of robberies and assaults involving motorcycles in Montevideo and Canelones, advocated for stricter controls on these vehicles. The suggestion was met with hostility from some quarters, culminating in the death threats made against him on social media. Metediera promptly filed a complaint, prompting a swift response from the authorities.
As the situation continues to unfold, the detained individual is currently providing a statement to the prosecution, which will determine the next steps in the judicial process. The incident underscores the challenges faced by public figures in the digital age, where online platforms can be used to intimidate and threaten individuals, and the importance of robust legal mechanisms to address such crimes. With the investigation ongoing, the focus now shifts to the prosecution’s handling of the case and the potential implications for free speech and online security in the region.