On Tuesday, Karla Díaz Hermosilla, the regional prosecutor for the southern zone, was dismissed from her post after accusing journalist Rafael León of terrorism.
As her replacement, the state attorney general, Lisbeth Aurelia Jiménez Aguirre, appointed Braulio Salvador Conde Rivas, who for eight years served as regional coordinator of the Specialized Unit for Combating Kidnapping and Extortion, based in Coatzacoalcos.
Rafael León is prosecuted; he will serve his sentence under house arrest.
On December 25, 2024, Rafael León Segovia, known as Lafita León, was arrested by agents of the Ministerial Police and the Secretariat of National Defense (Defensa).
Subsequently, he was charged by the Veracruz State Attorney General’s Office as the alleged perpetrator of the crimes of terrorism, obstruction of justice, and crimes against public security institutions.
However, at the hearing held on Monday, December 30 of the same year, the State Prosecutor’s Office determined that the journalist would be formally charged, no longer considering the terrorism charge. He was placed under house arrest for one year as a precautionary measure.
“After hearing the defense’s arguments and evaluating the evidence presented by this Prosecutor’s Office, and in accordance with Article 316 of the National Code of Criminal Procedure, the Prosecutor’s Office issued the order formally charging the journalist solely and exclusively with the crimes of obstruction of justice and crimes against public security institutions. The proceedings against the now-accused will continue, and he was placed under house arrest for one year as a precautionary measure, all within the procedural timeframes and stages established by law.”
Furthermore, Prosecutor Jiménez Aguirre affirmed that the state respects journalistic practice and freedom of expression.
“It is important to emphasize that this institution acts with strict respect for freedom of expression and the practice of journalism, guaranteeing due process at all times for the individuals involved, conducting itself with strict objectivity and adhering to judicial oversight. In this context, the Veracruz State Attorney General’s Office reiterates its commitment to conducting professional, transparent, and impartial investigations; the public will continue to be informed as the process unfolds and in accordance with legal timelines.”
Source: milenio
