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Key Witness in College Student’s Disappearance Granted Freedom of Movement in Dominican Republic, But Passport Remains Held

PUNTA CANA, Dominican Republic – Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old from Iowa and a central figure in the ongoing investigation into the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a 20-year-old college student, has successfully challenged the restrictions placed upon his movement by Dominican authorities. On Tuesday, a Dominican court ruled that his de facto house arrest at a luxury five-star resort was unlawful, considering his status as a witness, not a suspect, in the case.

Konanki vanished in the early morning hours of March 6th from the beach behind the Riu Republica resort in Punta Cana, where she and Riibe were staying during a spring break trip. Riibe is believed to be one of the last people to have seen her before her disappearance, making his testimony crucial to understanding the events that transpired that night.

While the court’s decision clears Riibe to return to the United States, a significant hurdle remains: Dominican authorities have not returned his passport. This leaves him in a precarious situation, as he cannot legally leave the country without it. He now faces the options of continuing to pursue the return of his passport through the Dominican legal system or seeking a provisional replacement from the U.S. embassy.

Following the judge’s ruling, Riibe checked out of the Riu Republica resort and moved to a different location. A source familiar with the investigation told Fox News that Riibe remains in the Dominican Republic as of Wednesday. The same source indicated that the prevailing theory in the investigation is that Konanki’s disappearance was the result of an accidental drowning, rather than foul play. However, Konanki’s body has not been recovered, and the investigation remains active.

Riibe’s family has declined to comment on the situation.

The U.S. State Department has acknowledged the case, with spokesperson Tammy Bruce stating that officials are in communication with Riibe, his family, and his legal team, providing consular assistance. "We take seriously our commitment to assist U.S. citizens abroad," she said during a press briefing. "It is a situation where I can’t discuss…specifics."

Riibe’s situation underscores the complexities of international legal proceedings, particularly when American citizens are involved in investigations abroad. The fact that he was confined to a hotel, albeit a luxurious one, under constant police monitoring for eleven days raised questions about due process and the application of Dominican law.

Jason Pack, a retired FBI supervisory special agent and former Child Abduction Rapid Deployment (CARD) Team Leader, weighed in on the situation, stating that restricting Riibe’s movement without a legal basis violated international human rights standards. "Being held in a hotel instead of a police facility doesn’t change the legal reality — if he is restricted from leaving the country without official legal basis, that’s still a violation of international human rights standards," Pack said.

The U.S. State Department is typically involved in monitoring cases where American citizens are detained abroad, especially when there are concerns about the denial of due process. Furthermore, the U.S. embassy in Santo Domingo provides assistance to American citizens who lose their passports in Punta Cana, with a U.S. consulate agency located in Bávaro, in the same office complex as Riibe’s attorneys at Guzman Ariza. This proximity could potentially facilitate the process of obtaining a temporary travel document.

In his testimony before the Dominican judge, Riibe expressed his frustration and isolation. "Ever since my passport was taken, it’s very rare I’m alone," he said. "I can’t go anywhere. I really want to be home. Hug my family and friends."

Surveillance footage confirms that Riibe and Konanki went to the beach with a group of people around 4:15 a.m. on March 6th. Most of the group left around 6 a.m., but Riibe and Konanki remained. Riibe was later seen returning alone hours later. Konanki’s whereabouts remain unknown nearly two weeks after her disappearance.

According to a leaked transcript of an interview with police, Riibe told investigators that he and Konanki were both pulled away from the shore by a strong current and struggled to make it back. He said he last saw her walking in knee-deep water before he vomited and fell asleep on a beach chair. This account is central to the theory that Konanki may have drowned after Riibe became incapacitated.

Konanki’s parents, in a letter to Dominican authorities, requested that she be declared dead, citing the lack of evidence of foul play and Riibe’s continued cooperation with investigators. This request highlights the family’s acceptance of the tragic possibility that their daughter may have perished in the ocean.

Riibe has agreed to multiple police interviews, demonstrating his willingness to assist in the investigation. However, he has voiced his frustration with being confined to the resort, pointing out that Dominican law dictates a maximum confinement period of 48 hours without formal charges.

Despite the government’s attempt to maintain constant monitoring of Riibe, the judge sided with Riibe, finding his situation unlawful. A hearing is scheduled for March 28th, but legal experts believe it is merely a formality and that Riibe’s presence is not required.

The case continues to draw significant attention, both in the Dominican Republic and the United States, as authorities continue their search for Sudiksha Konanki and attempt to piece together the events that led to her disappearance. The question of Riibe’s passport and his eventual return to the United States also remains a point of concern.