Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old college student from the U.S., may no longer be under constant police watch, but his ordeal is far from over.
He remains in the Dominican Republic, unable to return home as legal proceedings drag on.
Despite a partial court victory, he could be stuck in the country for at least another 10 days.
Legal Battle Over His Detention
Riibe, who has been effectively under house arrest while authorities investigate the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, took a bold step in court by filing a writ of habeas corpus.
His attorneys argued that he should either be charged with a crime or allowed to leave.
Magistrate Edwis Rijo Delgado ruled in favor of his right to move freely, stating that a witness should not be detained.
However, this ruling has yet to translate into permission for Riibe to return to the U.S. The next hearing is scheduled for March 28, leaving his fate uncertain.
A Complicated Legal Process
One major obstacle to Riibe’s departure is his missing passport.
The judge made it clear that returning the document was beyond his jurisdiction, while Dominican prosecutor Eduardo Velázquez claimed ignorance about its whereabouts.
When pressed by reporters, Velázquez deflected the question, saying, “I don’t speak English.”
The confusion leaves Riibe in bureaucratic limbo, unable to leave the country.
Grieving Parents Seek Closure
Konanki’s parents have come to accept that their daughter likely drowned, and they insist that Riibe was never a suspect.
Authorities have shown them evidence of rough ocean conditions at the time of her disappearance.
In a heartbreaking statement, her father, Subbarayudu Konanki, acknowledged their painful loss, urging Dominican authorities to allow Riibe to return home.
Riibe revealed that Konanki’s mother even hugged him and thanked him for trying to save her daughter before she disappeared.
Despite his efforts and cooperation with authorities, he remains trapped in legal uncertainty.
Confined in a Vacation Resort
Since his passport and phone were confiscated on March 8, Riibe has spent nearly two weeks confined to the Riu Republica resort.
His father, Mike Riibe, traveled to Punta Cana to support him and vowed to stay until his son is allowed to leave.
Despite assurances that he is free to move around, Riibe insists that authorities have limited his movements, making him feel like a prisoner.
His legal team argues that his situation is far from normal.
Attorney Micenis Beatriz Santana Hernández emphasized that his high-profile status has made it unsafe for him to leave the resort freely.
She also questioned why what appeared to be a mugshot of Riibe had been leaked to the media, further complicating his case.
What Comes Next?
With his next hearing set for March 28, Riibe faces more days of uncertainty.
The legal process remains murky, and it’s still unclear when or how he will be able to retrieve his passport.
Meanwhile, Konanki’s grieving family has formally requested that she be declared legally deceased, a step they hope will bring them some closure.
While authorities maintain that Riibe is not a suspect, his struggle to leave the Dominican Republic continues.
For now, he remains a reluctant guest in paradise, waiting for the legal system to decide his fate.