Veracruz: SSP Chief Detained For Disappearances

Translated by Valor for Borderland Beat

The Attorney General of Veracruz reported that the SSP chief in Tierra Blanca, Marcos Conde Hernández, and Officer Otoniel Cruz Linares, were arrested for their alleged involvement in the disappearances of five youths between the ages of 16 and 27, which occurred on January 11.  Their whereabouts are currently unknown.  With the arrest of the two officers, there are a total of six police officers detained.

The Attorney General of Veracruz reported that a police chief of the Secretariat of Public Safety (SSP) of Veracruz and one of his officers were arrested for their alleged involvement in the “forced disappearance” of five youths in Tierra Blanca, on January 11.

With the arrest of the two officers, there are a total of six officers who are detained for their alleged involvement in the January 11th disappearances of five youths in the municipality of Tierra Blanca, nestled in the center of Veracruz.

In a press release, the Attorney General’s Office of Veracruz reported the arrest of the police chief in Tierra Blanca, Marcos Conde Hernández, and of Officer Otoniel Cruz Linares.

Both were charged for their alleged involvement in the forced disappearances of youths who were detained by state police and whose current whereabouts are still unknown.

The official report states that, based on the strength of evidence presented by the prosecution of ministerial investigations, the lower court judge located in the Judicial District of Cosamaloapan issued the requested arrest warrants.

Upon completion of the court orders, the police chief and his subordinate were detained in a penitentiary in the municipality of Cosamaloapan, where they will be made available to a judge.

Bernardo Benítez Herrera, father of one of the victims, denounced last week that the five youths were arrested by state police when they were filling up their gas tank.  They were last seen there by a neighbor who knew them.

State and federal authorities continue to search for and locate the youths with more than 140 operational and intelligence forces.

A collaboration strategy with the Mexican Army, the Mexican Navy, the Attorney General’s Office (PGR), the federal police, and the Center for Research and National Security (CISEN) has been established.

On Saturday, the PGR announced the start of its investigation into the case, following a complaint received by the Specialized Prosecutor for the Search for Missing Persons.

The Veracruz Prosecutor, Luis Ángel Bravo, reported on Thursday that four policemen were detained for their alleged involvement in the forced disappearances of five youths.