Punta, Cana, Dominican Republic (Ktiv/NBC/AP) – The search for an American university student who disappeared in the Dominican Republic intensified on Monday after a man from the northwest of Iowa interrogated by the authorities visited the beach where he was last seen and spoke with officials.
Sudiksha Konanki, a 20 -year -old student at Pittsburgh University and an Indian citizen, disappeared before dawn on March 6 in the tourist city of Punta Cana. The authorities are touring the waters in case he drown.
Joshua Riibe de Rock Rapids, Iowa, has not been appointed as suspicious, but is believed to be the last person to see her. On Sunday, he and his lawyer met with officials on the beach.
On Monday, Riibe’s lawyer officially requested his release. A judge is expected to issue a decision on Tuesday, according to an official who spoke on condition of anonymity because they were not authorized to share the information.
According to the transcription of an interview with prosecutors, informed by the Dominican media, as well as NBC And Telemundo, Riibe told the police that he was drinking with Konanki on the beach and kissed in water to the waist when they were taken to the sea by a strong tide. Riibe said he was a former lifeguard and swam on the shore.
He told the researchers that he vomited when he arrived at the beach and that Konanki said he was going to look for his things. When he looked up, she was gone. He said he was later surprised to hear his disappearance.
“I swallowed a lot of water.” She wasn’t out of the water, since she was up to her knees.
Riibe’s parents have accused Dominican officials of stopping him “in irregular conditions” without translators or legal advisor, saying that he has been confined to a hotel room with police surveillance for more than a week.
They said that Riibe, a last year student at the University of St. Cloud, has been repeatedly taken to the police station and interrogated, added that he has “fully cooperated” with the police.
The Friday’s statement from Albert and Tine Riibe did not provide details about Konanki’s disappearance or her son’s connection with her. Their parents said the family has retained a lawyer to ensure that their rights are protected.
Dominican public prosecutors have not responded to the declaration.
The Federal Research Office is also investigating Konanki’s disappearance.
Local response to Joshua Riibe’s participation with research
With a Siouxland native as a person of interest in this story internationally followed, the Lyon County Sheriff’s office has received calls on this case since Rock Rapids falls under his jurisdiction.
The sheriff’s office says there has been an important presence of the media in Rock Rapids and that is why, they have been interacting with friends of the Riibe family. And in his name, the Sheriff’s office has published this statement.
The Lyon County Sheriff’s Office says that this statement was provided by the family of several friends of Joshua Riibe, but due to the cover of international media, they wish to remain in anonymity. The Sheriff’s office has guaranteed its authenticity and says that it is not an official statement of the city, county or other organization.
Associated Press and NBC News contributed to this article.
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