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Jisoo Han

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Jisoo Han
Hangul
한지수
Revised RomanizationHan Ji-soo
McCune–ReischauerHan Jisoo

Jisoo Han(Korean:한지수;RR:Han Ji-su;bornc. October 1983) is a South Koreanunderwater divinginstructor who was held inHonduras.She was jailed for 110 days and was placed underhouse arrestfor 306 days in connection with the death ofDutchtourist Mariska Mast at the Honduran island ofRoatán.[1]Han proclaimed her innocence and appealed toroommateDaniel Ian Ross, a suspect in the case who fled to Australia, to come forward and exonerate her.[2]

Han's uncle Sung-ho Choi filed petitions for her release withAmnesty International.[3]The case was brought to the attention of South Korean presidentLee Myung-bakand Honduran presidentPorfirio Lobo Sosa.[4]On October 16, 2010, Han wasacquittedof the murder and remains in Honduras pending the outcome of anappealby the prosecution.[5][6][needs update]

Background

[edit]
Han lived in the West End district ofRoatánwhile training to be aDivemaster.

Han came toRoatánon June 10, 2008, to learn to become ascuba divinginstructor. She assisted instructor Daniel Ian Ross, then 29 years old, in the course of herPADIDivemastertraining at Coconut Tree Divers. She moved into Ross' apartment in the West End district on August 15 to save money by sharing the rent.[1][7]Ross, adual citizenof the United Kingdom and Australia, allegedly arrived in March of that year and may have been working illegally in Roatán at that time.[8]

What beautiful nature. I enjoyed every minute of my time in Honduras. I thought it might even be a good place to live.

— Jisoo Han[9]

Death of Mariska Mast

[edit]

On August 21, 2008, 23-year-old Mariska Esmeralda Mast, a schoolteacher from the Netherlands, took a diving course at Coconut Tree Divers with Ross and other instructors. Han said she was preparing for her instructor exam outside of the dive shop at that time.[1]Mast's travel companion Barbara Mehsner stated that Mast complained of having breathing problems after their last dive.[10]

According to Han, she met Mast for the first time that evening at the Purple Turtle bar, while accompanied by Ross and other guests.[1][11]Mehsner said Mast drank with Ross that night and was infatuated with him;[12]Mast told Mehsner that Ross had kissed her.[13]Han stated that she went home alone at around 11:30 p.m. to go to sleep. Ross and Mast arrived at the apartment minutes later.[9]In Ross' statement to police, Mast collapsed in the bathroom at around 3 a.m., hitting her head and chipping her tooth.[14]Han said she brought some ice to tend to a cut above Masts' eye and returned to bed after Ross said he could handle the situation. Han allegedly woke up at around 6 a.m. when Ross yelled her name because Mast was having trouble breathing. Han said Mast was naked in Ross' bed and haddefecatedon herself.[13]Han alerted neighbors to call for an ambulance.[9]Ross said that he attemptedcardiopulmonary resuscitationwhen Mast stopped breathing.[7]Han joined Ross to take Mast to the hospital in the back of the landlady's truck.[2][14]Ross alleged that he was unable to converse in Spanish with the doctors, who sent him away.[7]Mehsner said she was told that Mast hit her head when she fell in the apartment.[10]Ross stated that he returned to the apartment where he "cleaned up the mess" with the housekeeper and claimed to be unaware that he was removing vital evidence because Mast had been pronounced dead.[7][8]According to the police, the landlady witnessed Ross cleaning up the scene before they could arrive.[14]Han said that a neighbor's wife had cleaned the apartment, which was sealed as acrime scene.[9]A police officer who inspected the apartment found "six packets of pills and a blood stain."[13]

Initial investigation

[edit]

Ross was arrested and held for five days at aCoxen Holejail, where he was visited by BritishconsulMat Harper.[7][14]Ross told the court that he did not want Mast to come to his apartment on the night she died.[13]British officials in Honduras stated that Mast's initialautopsywas "inconclusive" and were uncertain whether Ross would be charged.[8]Han was summoned to the court to make a statement and answer questions as a witness.[1]Ross was conditionally released after surrendering hisBritishpassport and was instructed not to leave the island by the Honduran authorities, who were then unaware of his dual citizenship. Ross used his Australian passport to leave the country the next day,[15]while a memorial was being held for Mast. Han said she had not seen Ross since.[16]

Dutch diplomats and private investigators visited Roatán and pressured Honduran investigators to revisit the case.[14]A new forensic report stated that Mast died ofblunt force injuriesandasphyxiationwith evidence ofstrangulation.[2]Trace amounts ofamphetamineswere found in her blood.[16]Honduranforensic pathologistHeybee Yessenia Caballero reported that Mast's bruises were consistent with defensive injuries and concluded her death was a "homicide, from the legal medical point of view."[17]An internationalarrest warrantwas issued for Ross throughInterpol.[18]

According to Han, she passed her Divemaster certification about a month after the incident and left Roatán. After staying in the United States for about three weeks, she returned toSouth Korea.At the end of December 2008, Han went toDahab,Egyptwhere she taught diving to other Koreans.[1]

Arrest and extradition

[edit]

On August 27, 2009, Han was detained atCairo International Airporton an Interpol warrant as she was leaving Egypt to return to Korea. After questioning by an Interpol inspector, Han said she was sent to a "chicken cage" jail cell inCairowhere she had to sleep on a concrete floor.[9]Han said that her request to contact the Koreanconsulatein Egypt was denied.[19]Three days after Han's arrest, Ross fled fromSingaporeto Australia, which does not have anextraditiontreaty with Honduras, and denied responsibility for the death through his lawyers.[2][20]Australian authorities will not honor an Interpolred notice,which requests extradition.[10]

On September 22, 2009, Han was extradited back to Roatán via the Netherlands while in Interpol custody.[14]After a short court hearing which Han said she did not understand, she was sent toLa Ceibaprison. Han said she was scared of the prison shop "because there are a lot of rapists amongst the males." Han praised her father who visited her at the prison and befriended the guards to make sure that she was treated well.[9]On December 14, 2009, Han was released from the prison on $10,000 bail and has been allowed to remain underhouse arrestat a church inSan Pedro Sulauntil her trial.[16][21][22]

Media coverage and reaction

[edit]
Lee Myung-bak
Porfirio Lobo Sosa
South Korean presidentLee Myung-bakspoke about the case with Honduran presidentPorfirio Lobo Sosa.

Han publicly appealed to Ross to come forward and exonerate her.[2]Mariska's father Herbert Mast also pleaded withWestern Australianauthorities to extradite Ross to answer questions about the case.[23]Mariska's sister Amanda said that Ross never contacted the Mast family to explain what had happened.[12]Ross stated that he wanted to get on with his life and asked for privacy.[16]Han's uncle Sung-ho Choi called the charges "total nonsense" and filed petitions withAmnesty Internationalto seek his niece's release.[3][9]

I want to know the truth but I am not the one who has the key... I don't know if he might be able to help clear my name but it would be great if he can and does.

— Jisoo Han, September 2010[16]

On June 29, 2010,South Korean presidentLee Myung-bakmet withHonduran presidentPorfirio Lobo Sosaat the 2010 summit of theCentral American Integration System(SICA) and brought up Han's case, stating: "A young Korean woman is on trial in Honduras. I hope you will pay special attention to the issue."[4][24]

Dutch journalistPeter R. de Vriesattempted to interview Daniel Ian Ross in Australia about the case.

In August 2010, Dutch crime reporterPeter R. de Vriestraveled toSubiaco, Western Australiato interview Ross about the case.[15]Ross called the police when De Vries attempted to contact him at his home on August 19. De Vries was arrested and paid a $200 fine for disobeying a police order to move on. De Vries responded to the arrest by stating: "I didn't touch him, I didn't insult him, I didn't threaten him... This is a homicide case and I tracked him down and now you're putting me in jail. That's the world upside down."[25]On September 6, a Western Australian magistrate rejected an application by Ross for arestraining orderagainst De Vries, who had by then left the country.[26]On November 14, De Vries aired a 31⁄2hour investigative program about the case on Dutch television.[27]A follow-up report aired on November 22, 2010.[28]

Something may be being organised as a result of the interest by these Dutch journalists.

— Inspector Dominic Wood, Western Australia Police[25]

The dive community and police have presented several theories for Mast's death, including injuries sustained from her accidental fall,decompression sicknessmixed with alcohol, battery during an attemptedrape,or an accident duringrough sex.[14]

Trial

[edit]

Han's trial was scheduled to be held at Coxen Hole on October 14 to 15 in 2010.[1]TheKorean Ministry of Foreign Affairs and Tradesent a diplomat and aforensicexpert from theKorean National Institute for Scientific Investigationto assist with the case.[29]Han was defended by attorney Félix Antonio Ávila Ortíz against charges that could have imprisoned her for up to 30 years in Honduras.[9][30]An additional autopsy report was submitted by Han's defense that indicated that Mast's death may have been caused by a combination of alcohol and drugs. On October 16, Han was foundnot guiltyin a unanimous verbal ruling by a three-judge panel of the regional court of Roatán.[5][6]However, the formal hearing to release Han was postponed on November 5 and again on November 19.[31][32][33]The official verdict acquitting Han was finally delivered on November 24, 2010.[34]The prosecution hasappealedthe ruling, though Korean ministry officials believe it unlikely to be overturned.[35]Herbert Mast said that he was not shocked by the verdict.[36]Han plans to return to South Korea.[34]

I thought I was going to break down when the verdict was reached, but it didn't really hit me right away... After I spoke with my father from Korea and took other congratulatory calls, I realized I was found not guilty and was really pleased.

— Jisoo Han, October 2010[37]

After the verdict was announced, Daniel Ian Ross announced through his lawyer from Australia that he was "delighted" that the court case supported his claim that he was not responsible for the death of Mariska Mast. However, Honduran authorities are still seeking Ross for questioning over Mast's death in his apartment.[36]Dutch consul Floris Kluck stated that authorities from Honduras and the Netherlands were working with Australia on a proposal to extradite Ross without a treaty.[38]

There has been co-operation from lots of countries already to see that justice takes place and it would be nice if Australia would do all the best so justice for this Dutch girl takes place.

— Floris Kluck, Dutch honorary consul for Honduras[37]

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^abcdefg"The Story of Jisoo Han".Free Jisoo Han. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-26.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  2. ^abcdeJones, Lloyd (2010-09-09)."Korean appeals for Perth man to help".The Sydney Morning Herald.Australian Associated Press.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  3. ^ab"Jisoo's Uncle's Petition to Amnesty International".Free Jisoo Han. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-10-17.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  4. ^ab"S. Korean President Lee Meets President Lobo".Honduras News. 2010-06-30.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  5. ^abMoon, Gwang-lip (2010-10-18)."Woman found not guilty in Honduras murder case".JoongAng Daily.Archived from the original on 2012-04-05.Retrieved2010-10-18.{{cite news}}:CS1 maint: unfit URL (link)
  6. ^ab"Acquitted in Honduras".The Korea Herald.2010-10-18.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  7. ^abcdeLeonar, Tom (2008-08-26)."British diver held in Honduras after student dies".The Daily Telegraph.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  8. ^abcMonroe, Luther (2008-08-26)."PADI scuba diving instructor jailed in death of Roatan tourist".Cyber Diver News Network. Archived fromthe originalon 2008-12-01.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  9. ^abcdefghPownall, Angela (2010-09-11)."Jisoo's Honduran Nightmare".The West Australian.Retrieved2010-09-30.[permanent dead link]
  10. ^abcPownall, Angela (2010-09-06)."Court bid fails against Dutch journalist".The West Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-09-09.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  11. ^Han, Jisoo (2008-08-22)."Statement of events of August 21-22, 2008".Archived fromthe original(PDF)on 2010-10-24.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  12. ^abPennells, Steve (2010-08-28)."Dutch backpacker infatuated with Perth man: friend".The West Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-23.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  13. ^abcdPownall, Angela (2010-09-17)."Diver 'didn't want Dutch woman in flat'".The West Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-09-25.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  14. ^abcdefg"Mysterious Tourist Death Case Reexamined".Bay Islands VoiceVol.7, No.10.October 2010. Archived fromthe originalon 2017-03-12.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  15. ^ab"Impossible Interview with Honduras Murder Suspect".Honduras News. 2010-08-20.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  16. ^abcdePennells, Steve (2010-09-09)."Murder suspect begs Perth man for help".The West Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-09-23.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  17. ^Pownall, Angela (2010-09-14)."Diver had homicide injuries: autopsy".The West Australian.Archived fromthe originalon 2010-09-18.Retrieved2010-10-25.
  18. ^"Wanted: ROSS, Daniel Ian".Interpol.Archived fromthe originalon 2012-12-12.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  19. ^Kim, Ji-hyun (2009-03-30)."Korean prisoner in Honduras may soon be released on bail".The Korea Herald.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  20. ^"Australia urged to extradite suspect".BigPond News.2009-08-23. Archived fromthe originalon 2010-08-24.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  21. ^"Diver Han Ji-Soo Released on Bail".Honduras News. 2009-12-15.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  22. ^임인택 (2009-12-25).응원이 기적을 만들어줬어요[Cheer helped create this miracle] (in Korean).Daum.Archived fromthe originalon 2013-02-21.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  23. ^Jones, Christiana (2010-08-25)."Wanted man denies he's a fugitive".The West Australian.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  24. ^"Korea, SICA agree to strengthen investment, economic cooperation".Korea.net.2010-06-30.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  25. ^abJones, Lloyd (2010-08-21)."Dutch crime reporter slams WA police".The Sydney Morning Herald.Australian Associated Press.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  26. ^"Restraining order on Dutch TV crew fails".Herald Sun.Australian Associated Press.2010-09-23.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  27. ^"De wereld rond voor de mysterieuze dood van Mariska Mast (deel I)"[Around the world for the mysterious death of Mariska Mast (Part I)] (in Dutch). Peter R. de Vries misdaadverslaggever. 2010-11-11. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-20.Retrieved2010-11-15.
  28. ^"De wereld rond voor de mysterieuze dood van Mariska Mast (deel II)"[The mysterious death of Mariska Mast (Part II)] (in Dutch). Peter R. de Vries misdaadverslaggever. 2010-11-24. Archived fromthe originalon 2011-07-20.Retrieved2010-11-22.
  29. ^"Korean murder suspect in Honduras acquitted".The Korea Times.2010-10-17.Archivedfrom the original on 2010-10-19.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  30. ^Ávila Ortíz, Félix Antonio (2009-09-29)."Report of legal managements realized by the lawyer Felix Antonio Avila Ortiz".Archived fromthe originalon 2010-10-17.Retrieved2010-09-30.
  31. ^온두라스 한지수 씨, 공식판결 연기[Honduras: Jisoo Han's official verdict postponed].Maeil Business Newspaper(in Korean). 2010-11-07.Retrieved2010-11-09.
  32. ^Kim, Eun-jung (2010-11-13)."Sentencing day set for Korean woman accused of murder in Honduras".Yonhap News Agency.Retrieved2010-11-15.
  33. ^'온두라스 살인사건' 공식판결 또 연기['Honduras murder' official decision delayed again].Maeil Business Newspaper(in Korean). 2010-11-21.Retrieved2010-11-24.
  34. ^abKang, Hyun-kyung (2010-11-24)."Korean woman cleared of murder charge in Honduras".The Korea Times.Archivedfrom the original on 2010-11-28.Retrieved2010-11-28.
  35. ^"Han Ji-soo to be Freed".Honduras News. 2010-10-17.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  36. ^abPownall, Angela (2010-10-19)."Diver hails acquittal in Mast case".The West Australian.Retrieved2010-10-19.
  37. ^abYoo, Jee-ho (2010-10-17)."S. Korean murder suspect in Honduras found not guilty by local court".Yonhap News Agency.Retrieved2010-10-18.
  38. ^Pownall, Angela (2010-08-23)."Dutch add pressure to return fugitive".The West Australian.Retrieved2010-10-25.
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