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Mexico charges troops with murder of 'gang members' | |
(25 days later) | |
Mexico's attorney general has charged three soldiers with murder for their role in a shootout in late June in which 22 suspected gang members were killed. | Mexico's attorney general has charged three soldiers with murder for their role in a shootout in late June in which 22 suspected gang members were killed. |
Jesus Murillo said the soldiers opened fire "without any justification whatsoever". | Jesus Murillo said the soldiers opened fire "without any justification whatsoever". |
The soldiers were among a group of eight held after the incident in Tlatlaya in the state of Mexico. | The soldiers were among a group of eight held after the incident in Tlatlaya in the state of Mexico. |
At the time, the authorities said the victims were members of a drug cartel. | At the time, the authorities said the victims were members of a drug cartel. |
The arrests came after a witness said many victims were killed in cold blood. | The arrests came after a witness said many victims were killed in cold blood. |
The victims were alleged to be members of a criminal organisation called La Familia Michoacana, which is active in the southern part of Mexico state. | The victims were alleged to be members of a criminal organisation called La Familia Michoacana, which is active in the southern part of Mexico state. |
The army had said they died in a fire fight, but suspicions were later raised as only one soldier was injured. | The army had said they died in a fire fight, but suspicions were later raised as only one soldier was injured. |
Some of the bodies of the victims appeared to show bullet wounds at chest level, suggesting they had not been killed in a shootout. | Some of the bodies of the victims appeared to show bullet wounds at chest level, suggesting they had not been killed in a shootout. |
Witnesses then said only one person died in the initial confrontation - the others were killed after surrendering to soldiers, our reporter says. | Witnesses then said only one person died in the initial confrontation - the others were killed after surrendering to soldiers, our reporter says. |
Last week seven soldiers and their commander were charged with military disobedience and breach of duty related to the incident. | Last week seven soldiers and their commander were charged with military disobedience and breach of duty related to the incident. |
The confrontation happened on 30 June in the village of San Pedro Limon, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of the capital, Mexico City. | The confrontation happened on 30 June in the village of San Pedro Limon, about 240km (150 miles) south-west of the capital, Mexico City. |
Spike in violence | Spike in violence |
President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised to review the war on drugs policy of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. | President Enrique Pena Nieto has promised to review the war on drugs policy of his predecessor, Felipe Calderon. |
Critics said Mr Calderon's decision to deploy the armed forces to combat the powerful drug cartels in December 2006 had led to a sharp increase in violence. | Critics said Mr Calderon's decision to deploy the armed forces to combat the powerful drug cartels in December 2006 had led to a sharp increase in violence. |
At least 60,000 people are estimated to have been killed in drug-related violence during his six-year term. | At least 60,000 people are estimated to have been killed in drug-related violence during his six-year term. |
Despite that criticism, Mr Pena Nieto's government has continued to fight the gangs. | Despite that criticism, Mr Pena Nieto's government has continued to fight the gangs. |
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