Dominican Police Lift Surveillance on Joshua Riibe Linked to Missing Student Sudiksha Konanki

Dominican authorities have removed police surveillance from Joshua Riibe in relation to Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance. Riibe is set to receive his passport following a court hearing, as he is no longer considered a person of interest. Meanwhile, Konanki’s family has requested a formal declaration of her death, anticipating a ruling on March 28.
In a significant development, Dominican Republic authorities have lifted police surveillance on Joshua Riibe, linked to the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 22-year-old woman from Loudoun County, Virginia. Although his passport is due to be returned, it has not yet been returned following a habeas corpus hearing. Riibe’s family was present at the hearing, where his father expressed hope for his son’s release from custody.
The prosecutor’s office confirmed that Riibe is expected to receive his passport on Thursday. Initially, Riibe’s legal team sought assistance from the U.S. embassy for a new passport. Additionally, on the same day, Loudoun County deputies released Riibe from being a person of interest following an interview on March 13.
While Riibe has not been formally charged, he was under police surveillance since Konanki was last seen at a hotel in Punta Cana on March 6. He stated that he and Konanki spent time together at the beach the night prior to her disappearance. The judge designated Riibe as a witness, enabling him to move freely, yet withheld his passport due to jurisdictional constraints.
Konanki was visiting the Dominican Republic for spring break. During his court appearance, Riibe recounted lengthy police interviews, mentioning restrictions on his movement, and conveyed a desire to return home.
Furthermore, reports indicate that Konanki’s family requested a formal declaration of her death while expressing trust in the ongoing investigation. They believe procedural formalities must be addressed before their request can be fulfilled, indicating their readiness to provide any necessary documentation.
A judicial ruling on this matter is anticipated on March 28, marking a critical juncture in the ongoing investigation into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance.
In summary, the Dominican authorities have lifted the police watch on Joshua Riibe amid ongoing investigations into Sudiksha Konanki’s disappearance. Although his passport return is imminent, there are no current charges against him. The Konanki family has requested a formal declaration of their daughter’s death, emphasizing their cooperation with legal procedures. A pivotal ruling is expected on March 28, as this case continues to develop.
Original Source: fox17.com