MEXICO: Man suspected of killing US journalist in Mexico conflict is cleared and released from prison

Record ID: 303577

  • Title: MEXICO: Man suspected of killing US journalist in Mexico conflict is cleared and released from prison
  • Date: 19th February 2010
  • Summary: POLICEMEN OUTSIDE PRISON
  • Embargoed: 6th March 2010 12:00
  • Keywords:
  • Location: Mexico
  • Country: Mexico
  • Topics: Crime / Law Enforcement
  • Reuters ID: LVA89XI03QFWI4SZ6J8LZSF4XLBD
  • Story Text: A man suspected of killing an Independent U.S. journalist just over three years ago was released from prison on Thursday (February 18) for lack of evidence.
    A federal court cleared Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno of all charges.
    Brad Will, a cameraman working with Indymedia New York, was killed in October 2006 when gunmen opened fire in Mexico's colonial city of Oaxaca near roadblocks set up by leftists pushing to topple a state governor.
    Martinez Moreno was greeted by his family and supporters outside the Santa Maria Ixcotel prison, located five minutes away from Oaxaca city, where he had been imprisoned for 15 months.
    He was detained by authorities on October 16, 2008.
    Activists from the Popular Assembly of the Oaxacan People, or APPO, seized the city for five months in 2006 and accused Gov. Ulises Ruiz of bad government and wanted him to be thrown out.
    APPO representatives were there on Thursday to greet Martinez Moreno upon his exit from prison.
    Martinez Moreno said he was thrilled and would stick by his APPO colleagues.
    "Emotionally, they (local government) intend to harm. But we are strong and they'll never harm us. A terrible injustice. Of course, I'll never abandon my colleagues (APPO) who did a lot to help me. Otherwise I wouldn't be free," he said.
    In 2006, the conflict escalated with increasingly frequent drive-by style gun attacks against the protesters' barricades at the edge of the city, famous for its architecture, thriving arts scene and indigenous culture.
    Activists blocked highways near the city and burned vehicles. Flights were canceled amid worries that protesters would occupy the city's airport.
    Critics accused the governor of corruption and repressive tactics against dissenters, whose roadblocks have driven tourism from the city and hurt business.
    Ruiz refused to step down and he still controls Oaxaca.
  • Copyright Holder: REUTERS
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