According to the legal filings on behalf of the "person of interest" in the disappearance of Sudiksha Konanki, a student at the University of Pittsburgh, the Dominican Republic must consent to his return to the United States.

Beatriz Santana, the individual's attorney, stated in a motion that was submitted on Monday that Joshua Riibe, a 22-year-old Iowan who has been "in custody" and repeatedly questioned by officials in the Caribbean country over the missing co-ed, might not have as much to fear as originally thought, as The Daily Mail reported.

According to the attorney, he cannot be detained any longer without being charged. This development was published by a local media called Noticias SIN, something that is a significant change in the status of the case.

Riibe was the last person on Konanki's spring break who saw her alive in Punta Cana, but authorities have not mentioned charges or implicated him in her disappearance.

Suspect's Treatment

Despite this new information, which may or may not be recognized and upheld by the court, officials have seized Riibe’s passport and have kept him holed up at the RIU Hotel & Resort as the investigation enters its 11th day.

“If he wants to leave the hotel, he cannot do that freely, but with police,” Santana told ABC Eyewitness News. “His passport is seized despite not being officially charged.”

According to the local news outlet, a hearing on the lawyer’s habeas corpus motion will likely be heard on Tuesday afternoon.

Video Footage

The case of the young woman's disappearance took a turn when surveillance cameras at the resort showed Konanki, Riibe, and some other friends partying at the hotel bar.

The students, who were drinking and showing signs of a vacation in full swing, later made their way onto the beach.

It is believed that Konanki and Riibe were alone during the early hours of March 6, and the Iowa student told police they were caught in the surf.

Riibe said that he was able to pull Konanki out of the surf, but he eventually passed out on the beach, and she was gone when he woke up.

Testimony Assessment

It was initially believed that Knoanki drowned, but more recently, authorities have said they cannot rule out foul play.

As of this point, there have been more than 300 law enforcement personnel involved in the search for the still missing Konanki.

Included in the search efforts are the FBI, the US Department of Homeland Security, and deputies from the Loudoun County Sheriff’s Office in the missing student’s hometown in Virginia.