Incomunicado

Incomunicado describes a state of being isolated and unable to communicate with the outside world, typically imposed by authorities. This isolation often involves restricted access to phone calls, visitors, and news, intended to prevent the individual from contacting others or disseminating information. The purpose of keeping someone incomunicado can vary, ranging from protecting the integrity of an investigation to coercing a confession or preventing the sharing of sensitive information. The duration of being held incomunicado varies, and human rights concerns often arise in these situations because they limit fundamental freedoms and due process.

Incomunicado meaning with examples

• The suspect, under intense interrogation, was held incomunicado for several days, preventing him from contacting a lawyer or his family. Authorities hoped this would lead to a quicker confession, but human rights groups protested vigorously against such tactics.
• After the coup, the former president was held incomunicado in a secure location. The government cited security reasons for limiting his contact with the outside world, fearing he might incite unrest or coordinate a counter-revolution from his prison.
• Following a kidnapping, the victim was kept incomunicado in a remote location. The kidnappers ensured he couldn't alert anyone to his situation, hoping this would prevent his rescue and allow them to negotiate a higher ransom.
• During the hostage situation, the negotiators sought to keep the captors incomunicado from the media, hoping that reducing the outside pressure and sensationalism might give them more control over the situation and allow for a safer resolution.
• The witness, crucial to the case, was placed incomunicado for her own safety. The authorities believed that keeping her isolated would protect her from potential intimidation or attempts to influence her testimony by other involved parties.