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New warrant for ex-Mexico leader | New warrant for ex-Mexico leader |
(40 minutes later) | |
A judge in Mexico has issued a warrant for the arrest of former President Luis Echeverria on genocide charges. | A judge in Mexico has issued a warrant for the arrest of former President Luis Echeverria on genocide charges. |
A judge ordered the arrest of Mr Echeverria, 84, over the killing of up to 300 students in Mexico City in 1968. | A judge ordered the arrest of Mr Echeverria, 84, over the killing of up to 300 students in Mexico City in 1968. |
The latest ruling in a long-running affair came just four months after a court dismissed the charges, saying the killings happened too long ago. | The latest ruling in a long-running affair came just four months after a court dismissed the charges, saying the killings happened too long ago. |
Mr Echeverria was interior minister when troops opened fire on protesters days before the Olympic Games opened. | Mr Echeverria was interior minister when troops opened fire on protesters days before the Olympic Games opened. |
In July, a judge ruled that the events of 2 October 1968 fell outside Mexico's 30-year statute of limitations, ruling out a trial. | |
But prosecutors successfully argued that Mr Echeverria had effective immunity until he left office on 1 December 1976, and the statute should be considered from that date. | |
House arrest | House arrest |
Because of his age, Mr Echeverria would be likely to face house arrest, but there was no confirmation whether the warrant would be used immediately. | Because of his age, Mr Echeverria would be likely to face house arrest, but there was no confirmation whether the warrant would be used immediately. |
He was originally placed under house arrest in June, but released after the July ruling. | He was originally placed under house arrest in June, but released after the July ruling. |
Juan Velazquez, a lawyer for Mr Echeverria, said he would appeal against the latest decision. | Juan Velazquez, a lawyer for Mr Echeverria, said he would appeal against the latest decision. |
Mr Echeverria was interior minister in 1968 at the time of the killings in Tlatelolco Square in Mexico City. | Mr Echeverria was interior minister in 1968 at the time of the killings in Tlatelolco Square in Mexico City. |
Human rights activists say up to 300 people were killed in the shootings, although officials said the death toll was just 30. | Human rights activists say up to 300 people were killed in the shootings, although officials said the death toll was just 30. |
Mr Echeverria denies allegations that he posted snipers on scores of buildings and gave orders to shoot anti-government protesters, and disputes that the deaths on 2 October 1968 constitute genocide. | Mr Echeverria denies allegations that he posted snipers on scores of buildings and gave orders to shoot anti-government protesters, and disputes that the deaths on 2 October 1968 constitute genocide. |
Mr Echeverria was president from 1970 to 1976 during which hundreds of people died or disappeared during the "Dirty War" on leftists. | Mr Echeverria was president from 1970 to 1976 during which hundreds of people died or disappeared during the "Dirty War" on leftists. |
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