Paraguay court upholds architect’s conviction, 2-year sentence in deadly supermarket fire

Paraguay court upholds conviction in deadly fire

ASUNCION, Paraguay — A Paraguayan court has upheld a two-year prison sentence for architect Bernardo Ismachowiez, designer of a supermarket where 420 people died in a 2004 fire.

The Palace of Justice press office says an appeals court confirmed the conviction for defective design and construction that placed lives at risk. Prosecutors argued there were not enough emergency exits.

The court confirmed Ismachowiez’s sentence Friday. But he won’t serve more time, having spent 2½ years under house arrest.

The Supreme Court three weeks ago upheld prison sentences for the owners of the Ycua Bolanos supermarket in downtown Asuncion. Authorities accused owner Juan Pio Paivas of ordering doors barred to prevent looting when a fire broke out in the bakery.