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Mexico genocide trial suspended | Mexico genocide trial suspended |
(about 12 hours later) | |
A federal court in Mexico has suspended the trial on genocide charges of the former President, Luis Echeverria. | |
He is alleged to have had a role in the killing of dozens of students during a demonstration in Mexico City in 1968. | He is alleged to have had a role in the killing of dozens of students during a demonstration in Mexico City in 1968. |
The ex-president's lawyer said the ruling indicated there was no evidence to link Mr Echeverria to the deaths. | |
Mr Echeverria, who was interior minister at the time, has repeatedly denied any role in the deaths. The prosecution has 10 days to appeal. | Mr Echeverria, who was interior minister at the time, has repeatedly denied any role in the deaths. The prosecution has 10 days to appeal. |
Juan Velazquez, Mr Echevarria's lawyer told the BBC he was confident the prosecutors would accept the court's ruling, bringing the trial to an end. | |
'Dirty war' | 'Dirty war' |
Human rights groups say as many as 300 student activists were killed when troops opened fire on them in Mexico City's Tlatelolco Plaza on 2 October, just days before the city hosted the Olympic Games. | Human rights groups say as many as 300 student activists were killed when troops opened fire on them in Mexico City's Tlatelolco Plaza on 2 October, just days before the city hosted the Olympic Games. |
Official reports put the death toll at 25. | Official reports put the death toll at 25. |
Mr Echeverria has repeatedly denied allegations that he gave orders for soldiers in the plaza to open fire on the anti-government protesters. | Mr Echeverria has repeatedly denied allegations that he gave orders for soldiers in the plaza to open fire on the anti-government protesters. |
He has also disputed that the deaths constituted genocide. | He has also disputed that the deaths constituted genocide. |
Mr Echeverria was president from 1970 to 1976 during which hundreds of people died or disappeared during a campaign against leftists called the "dirty war". | Mr Echeverria was president from 1970 to 1976 during which hundreds of people died or disappeared during a campaign against leftists called the "dirty war". |
The 84-year-old former president, who was placed under house arrest in November last year, is in poor health. | The 84-year-old former president, who was placed under house arrest in November last year, is in poor health. |
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