Court of Justice of the Dominican Republic has today ordered the bringing to trial of the owner of the Jet Set nightclub, of which the roof collapsed in April 2025, resulting in 236 people finding deathO.
The tragedy occurred in Santo Domingo, during a concert of the music star merengue Ruby Peres, who was among the dead.
Antonio Espaiyat, owner of the nightclub and his sister, Maribel, director of the "Jet Set", were arrested accused of negligent homicide, but were released after bailing out $842,500 (726 thousand euros).
#RnnEnImágenes.- “Tú no tienes fuerza, te cortaron los cabellos”, fueron algunas de las expansiones que vociferaron families de las víctimas de la tragedia ocurrida en el Jet Set a la llegada de los propietarios del establecimiento, los hermanos Antonio y Maribel Espaillat, al... pic.twitter. com/LTcEmTHRJP— Noticias RNN (@NoticiasRNN) June 15, 2026
Sentence of imprisonment from up to two years
The charge of negligent homicide carries a prison sentence from three months to two years.
The "Justice for Jet Set" movement, which represents their victims and families, called for a tightening up of the indictment.
However, Judge Reymundo Mejia reported that the collapse of a building cannot be compared to the event that someone opens fire against a crowd. "Justice is not about revenge," he stressed.
Víctimas y familiares afectados por la tragedia de Jet Set participaron en una cadena de oración antes de que el juez Raymundo Mejía dé a concerter su decisión sobre si los hermanos Antonio y Maribel Espaillat serán enviados a juicio.
Sigue @altanto.com.do 👈
NV pic.twitter. Com/zKPzcxGV5X— Altanto.com.do (@altantocomdo) June 15, 2026
"What a shame!"
"What a disgrace!", Rafael Navarro told the French News Agency (AFP), whose 33-year-old daughter found death in the tragic event.
40-year-old Alcide Acosta, who lost his brother and daughter-in-law, accuses the court of bias. "We will continue our struggle," he stressed.
The date of the trial has not yet been announced.