This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.

You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-31013491

The article has changed 2 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.

Version 0 Version 1
Mexico insists 43 students are dead Mexico insists 43 missing students are dead
(about 9 hours later)
Mexico's attorney general says he can prove what happened to 43 students who disappeared in the southern state of Guerrero in September.Mexico's attorney general says he can prove what happened to 43 students who disappeared in the southern state of Guerrero in September.
Jesus Murillo Karam said his team had interviewed 99 people including members of the criminal gang whom he alleges murdered the students.Jesus Murillo Karam said his team had interviewed 99 people including members of the criminal gang whom he alleges murdered the students.
His comments come a day after relatives of the students marched in Mexico City. Correspondents say it is the first time he has declared all the students dead.
They demanded government action and concrete proof of what had happened. four months after they disppeared. Parents reacted angrily, saying that without proof, they would continue to believe their children were alive.
Mr Murillo Karam insisted that the students were killed by a criminal gang and their bodies burnt at a rubbish dump - an explanation which has been rejected by the relatives of the disappeared. Mr Murillo Karam insisted that the students were killed by the gang and their bodies burnt at a rubbish dump - an explanation which relatives of the disappeared have rejected.
He said his team had 39 confessions from police and from members of the criminal gang. He said his team had 39 confessions from police and from members of the gang.
Correspondents say it is the first time Mr Murillo Karam has declared all of the students dead.
The remains of only one student have been identified so far after badly burnt bones were sent to a laboratory in Austria for DNA analysis.The remains of only one student have been identified so far after badly burnt bones were sent to a laboratory in Austria for DNA analysis.
The laboratory said it was impossible to identify any others because of the bad condition of the remains.The laboratory said it was impossible to identify any others because of the bad condition of the remains.
Key witnessKey witness
Mr Murillo said his information was based on 386 declarations from interviewees, 16 police raids and two reconstructions.Mr Murillo said his information was based on 386 declarations from interviewees, 16 police raids and two reconstructions.
He said a key witness was Felipe Rodriguez Salgado, otherwise known as "El Cepillo", a member of the criminal gang who is alleged to have taken part in the kidnapping, murder and disappearance of the students.He said a key witness was Felipe Rodriguez Salgado, otherwise known as "El Cepillo", a member of the criminal gang who is alleged to have taken part in the kidnapping, murder and disappearance of the students.
"The evidence allows us to determine that the students were kidnapped, killed, burned and thrown in the river," said Mr Murillo."The evidence allows us to determine that the students were kidnapped, killed, burned and thrown in the river," said Mr Murillo.
He said evidence of gas, diesel and burnt rocks and steel from the inside of tyres at the scene proved this had taken place.He said evidence of gas, diesel and burnt rocks and steel from the inside of tyres at the scene proved this had taken place.
He also said forensic research showed the fire would have been hot enough to burn all 43 bodies - a view which has been disputed by Mexican scientists.He also said forensic research showed the fire would have been hot enough to burn all 43 bodies - a view which has been disputed by Mexican scientists.
Months ago, shortly after the disappearances, Mr Murillo said based on interviews with members of the criminal gang involved in the murder, that the fire had burned all night and during the following days.
He had said the incinerated remains were then bagged up and thrown into a nearby river.
Relatives of the disappeared have been sceptical about government explanations over what happened.Relatives of the disappeared have been sceptical about government explanations over what happened.
They maintain the military based in Iguala would have known about the arrival of the students in the town and what happened to them. At an emotional news conference on Tuesday, parents accused the government of trying to end the investigation.
"We don't believe anything of what they say," said Carmen Cruz, whose 19-year-old son Jorge is one of the disappeared students.
"We are not going to allow this case to be closed."
The lawyer representing the families, Vidulfo Rosales, presented a 10-point argument explaining why they believe the investigation should continue.
Families say there has been a lack of conclusive forensic results.
Mr Rosales said that several key suspects were still at large and that, if detained, they could shed new light on the official version of events.
On Monday, relatives of the students led a huge march in Mexico City demanding government action and concrete proof of what had happened.
They maintain that the military based in Iguala would have known about the arrival of the students in the town and what happened to them.
They have campaigned to gain access to inspect army barracks where they allege students might have been taken.They have campaigned to gain access to inspect army barracks where they allege students might have been taken.
At the press conference, Mr Murillo said "there was not a shred of evidence" that the army were involved. But at his press conference, Mr Murillo said "there was not a shred of evidence" that the army were involved.
Alexander Mora is the only student to have been identified so far, after his remains were taken for DNA tests at a forensic centre in Austria.Alexander Mora is the only student to have been identified so far, after his remains were taken for DNA tests at a forensic centre in Austria.
He was in his first year of studies at the rural teacher training college in Ayotzinapa, a college with a tradition of left-wing political activism.He was in his first year of studies at the rural teacher training college in Ayotzinapa, a college with a tradition of left-wing political activism.
Alexander Mora was part of a group of students who travelled to the nearby town Iguala on 26 September and, as part of a protest, commandeered a number of buses.Alexander Mora was part of a group of students who travelled to the nearby town Iguala on 26 September and, as part of a protest, commandeered a number of buses.
On their way back to their college the students were intercepted by police allegedly on the orders of the local mayor.On their way back to their college the students were intercepted by police allegedly on the orders of the local mayor.
The attorney general has argued the police handed the students over to a criminal drug gang who mistook them for a rival group and executed them.The attorney general has argued the police handed the students over to a criminal drug gang who mistook them for a rival group and executed them.