Chile's Ministry of Public Security has expanded its complaint against three UACh students charged in the April attack on Science Minister Ximena Lincolao, invoking the State Security Law—a move declared admissible by a judge amid debates over the ministry's authority.
Following the initial formalization of charges against Pablo Vásquez, Joaquín Monje, and María Jesús Madariaga for assault on authority (as covered in prior updates), the Ministry of Public Security—represented by lawyers Joaquín Pizarro and Vicente Canales—filed an expanded complaint under Article 5(b) of the State Security Law. This charges the students with deprivation of liberty aimed at disrupting public order, citing the nearly two-hour blockage of Lincolao in the Aula Magna, where protesters obstructed exits, threw liquids, and pushed her.
Minister Trinidad Steinert's expansion was declared admissible on April 22 by Judge Fabián Duffau of the Valdivia Court. The government also appealed the earlier denial of preventive detention.
Controversy surrounds Steinert's authority: Article 26 of the law limits initiations to the Interior Ministry, regional intendants, or affected parties. Senator Iván Flores (DC) argued Steinert lacks faculties, echoed by former Undersecretary Rafael Collado as an 'exclusive title' of Interior.
Executive sources defend the action due to public order impacts and judicial approval. Senator Arturo Squella (Republican) criticized Flores for opposing an admissible judicial step, accusing him of siding with the attackers. Defenses may challenge the ministry's standing in court.
