SANTO DOMINGO, Dominican Republic (AP) — Authorities in the Dominican Republic have detained 11 police officers following the killing of five suspected criminals during a police operation last month. The killings occurred on Sept. 10 in Santiago de los Caballeros, one of the Dominican Republic’s biggest cities. Police have accused the suspects of opening fire on officers first, adding that the victims were members of a gang suspected of kidnappings, drug trafficking and contract killings. The killings sparked protests, and human rights groups demanded an investigation. According to records from the National Human Rights Commission, more than 150 extrajudicial executions have occurred so far in 2025, surpassing the 80 recorded in 2024 in the country of nearly 11 million people.