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Daniel Ortiz tells us more about them - and the investigation that landed them up in jail:...

Daniel Ortiz reporting
Meet 21 year-old Bladimir Escaraga, a resident of San Jose Village; 23 year-old Francis Sho, a resident of Belmopan; 31 year-old Patrick Villagran Sr., a resident of Ladyville; 26 year-old Edmar Petillo, a resident of Carmelita Village; 26 year-old Patrick Diego; a resident of Pomona Village; 28 year-old Mateo Bolon, a resident of Jalacte, Toledo; 33 year-old Elvis Cobb, a resident of San Victor Village, and 29 year-old Lennart Cajun.

These 8 lawmen, 7 from the BDF, and 1 from the Police Department, are all officers attached to the Belize Special Assignment Group, and they have all been charged with murder. These officers, who are trained to engage in specialized, high risk operations for the country's national security interests, are being accused of abusing that authority when they allegedly beat and killed Ariel Salazar in Orange Walk.

ACP Joseph Myvette - OC, NCIB
"Police have since arrested and charged 8 persons. Amongst them is one sergeant, 2 corporals and 4 privates. Police investigation into this matter continues."

File: February 23, 2018
ACP Chester Williams - OC, PSB
"Upon arrival police observed two male persons severely beaten and two others who complained of having been beaten by some persons who were dressed in battlefield type uniforms. As a result of that complaint, the individuals were taken to the Northern Regional Hospital where hours later one Ariel Salazar who was one of the persons passed away."

Late this morning, knowing that they would be exposed for their arraignment, each of the 8 made sure to hide his face from the cameras, and from public view. Along with their police escorts, they marched into the Orange Walk Magistrate's Court. Once inside, they were read charges of murder and attempted murder.

The 8 were remanded into custody, and they were marched back out into police custody, to be transferred to the Belize Central Prison.

And the very same way in which they hid their faces, the attack on their alleged abuse victims was conducted by persons wearing masks.

File: February 22, 2018
Noe Sanchez - Victim
"When we faced down dread bally get hit first then afterwards me and they look on me because I got an army bag, I got my soldier bag right there so they start to shut me down but most of them covered their face with black copachaos and only the general and the next one have their faces open."

File: February 23, 2018
ACP Chester Williams - OC, PSB
"They surely acted criminally not only out of order, they acted criminally and if it is that the investigation reveals that they are really the ones who did it then they will be dealt with criminally like any other person."

But, there is a risk, because if police can't prove beyond a reasonable doubt, which officers actually beat the victim, then the case could fall apart. It could become a situation where, if everybody is responsible collectively, then nobody is responsible personally. That's the type of technicality that defense attorneys pounce on all the time.

Daniel Ortiz, reporter
"We know that from indications from alleged victims that these persons were masked. Are you able to say if police were able to identify which of these officers actually inflicted the injuries? Or is it a joint venture type charged?"

ACP Joseph Myvette
"It's more those who were actually involved in the operation and reviewing all the evidence, hence the reason why they were all charged."