A supervisory judge has ordered Rubén de Jesús “N,” the rector of Mexico’s Autonomous University of Zacatecas (UAZ), to stand trial on charges of sexual abuse. The decision was made following a lengthy court session that lasted over 20 hours.
Initially, Rector “N” faced allegations of rape; however, the judge reclassified the crime after analyzing evidence presented by the Zacatecas State Attorney General’s Office (FGE) and his defense team. As part of an abbreviated procedure agreed upon between both parties, Rector “N” will receive a four-year prison sentence and be required to make financial reparations.
According to Darío Gamón Rodríguez, the rector’s defense attorney, the defendant has been granted a conditional suspension of sentence. However, this does not mean he is free from punishment. He will be subject to certain conditions throughout his sentence and will not be permitted to enter the sentencing area.
The amount of reparations agreed upon for damages remains unknown, as Martha Berenice Vázquez, a prosecutor specializing in gender-based crimes against women, declined to comment on the matter, citing a request from the victim. The prosecutor explained that she was unable to provide further information due to respecting the victim’s right to remain anonymous.
While some may interpret the reparation agreement as an act of impunity, the Zacatecas State Attorney General’s Office has clarified that this is not the case. In a statement on its social media account, the FGE emphasized its commitment to upholding real and prompt justice in cases involving child victims.
“The Attorney General’s Office will continue to fight for real, prompt justice with a child-friendly perspective,” the post reads. “When a child is violated, their body is not the only thing that is compromised – social trust in the rule of law is also violated.”
The case has sparked widespread attention and highlights the ongoing efforts to combat sexual abuse and protect victims’ rights within Mexican institutions.
Source: Milenio
