VANCOUVER — A Vancouver mining company is arguing for the dismissal of a civil suit launched by seven Guatemalan protesters who were shot outside its Escobal project.
Karen Carteri, a lawyer representing Tahoe Resources Inc. (TSX:THO), told B.C. Supreme Court that Canadian courts don't have jurisdiction in the matter that occurred two years ago, while the plaintiffs maintain it's their only way to get justice.
Carteri says the case involves a large number of Spanish documents in Guatemala and many Spanish-speaking witnesses who must travel from the Central American country.
She says Tahoe should not be held responsible merely because it's an "indirect parent" of a foreign subsidiary company that sought financing in Canadian capital markets.
The statement of claim alleges one man was shot in the back and another was shot in the face by security guards during a peaceful protest on a public road in front of the mine gates in April 2013.
It claims that Tahoe is liable for either authorizing the use of excessive force or negligence for not preventing the violence during a protest against the silver mine.
