47 People Arrested at “The Burning of Judas”

Police in Heredia, north of San José, arrested a total of 40 people, including four minors, for allegedly participating in a series of disturbances associated with the tradition of “The Burning of Judas” Saturday night, according to the Public Security Ministry. Four more were arrested in Santa Ana, southwest of San José, according to the daily Al Día.

The tradition – which calls for burning an effigy of Judas, the figure who, according to the Bible, betrayed Jesus to the Romans – is not part of the official Easter Holy Week ceremonies, but is practiced popularly by many Catholics around the world.

The suspects in Heredia were arrested for various offenses such as burning tires, blocking streets, throwing rocks and drinking in public, the police statement said.