(ANS - Santiago) - To inform the public about the unpleasant events that have occurred in recent weeks, the Silva Henríquez Catholic University in the Salesian Province of Chile, has issued the following statement:

From Monday 24 November to Monday 15 December, the buildings of the Central House and the Faculty of Health Sciences were illegally occupied by a group of students. From that same date, the University has been permanently willing to dialogue, with the stipulation that students abandon the occupation. However, even when the conditions were agreed for the beginning of negotiations, the dialogue was unilaterally terminated by a minority of students who disregarded the negotiations that had started on 9 December and were recognized by students of most courses who had communicated to the University their decision to end the occupation.

After the last departure on 15 December, the University regained possession of the occupied premises. They found that theft and millions of pesos worth of damage had taken place at the Central House. This has been confirmed by a public notary, and certified by a complaint from the University to the Police Investigations Department  to begin judicial proceedings before the Public Prosecutor of the Northern Centre.

At the same time the University states that it will make every effort to identify the perpetrators of the theft, damage and destruction reported to the investigative process that has been started to throw light on these unpleasant and reprehensible actions.

Published 19/12/2014