(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 30 April 2003 IAPA press release: IAPA concerned over anomalies in arrest of Cuarto Poder manager’s family member The organisation asks that the case be transferred to a federal court Miami (30 April 2003) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has expressed concern over irregularities in the arrest […]
(IAPA/IFEX) – The following is a 30 April 2003 IAPA press release:
IAPA concerned over anomalies in arrest of Cuarto Poder manager’s family member
The organisation asks that the case be transferred to a federal court
Miami (30 April 2003) – The Inter American Press Association (IAPA) has expressed concern over irregularities in the arrest of the Cuarto Poder manager’s son. Cuarto Poder is a Mexican newspaper known for its criticisms of the Chiapas state government. The organisation has asked local authorities to transfer the case to a federal court to ensure that due process is followed.
In a letter to Chiapas Governor Pablo Salazar Mendiguchía, IAPA President Andrés García raised concerns about the process followed in the arrest of Conrado de la Cruz Morales, a former partner in the Cuarto Poder newspaper. The Chiapas State Prosecutor’s Office has accused him of committing several crimes. De la Cruz Morales is the son of Conrado de la Cruz Jiménez, the newspaper’s general manager.
On 25 April, De la Cruz Morales was arrested in Cancún, Quintana Roo by officers of the Chiapas State Prosecutor’s Office. The officers failed to notify the Quintana Roo local authorities prior to the arrest. Had they done so, the case would have been taken up by the federal authorities. De la Cruz Morales was taken to Tuxtla Gutiérrez, capital of Chiapas state, and placed in detention.
“Without commenting on the crimes De la Cruz Morales is accused of, we are concerned that he was arrested in reprisal for the newspaper’s criticism of the Chiapas state administration,” García said.
García, director of the daily Novedades de Quintana Roo, based in Cancún, Quintana Roo, Mexico, recalled that the Chiapas state government has previously harassed the newspaper, sabotaged its distribution and arbitrarily detained Cuarto Poder journalists who were accused of defamation.
“We also question the irregularities in De la Cruz Morales’ arrest,” García added. He called for De la Cruz Morales’ immediate release and asked that the case be taken up by the federal authorities, “to ensure that due process is followed.”
