Armed group threatened journalists with death in Tecámac, Edomex: “Give them a match”

In recent months, there have been a large number of murders, attacks and threats against journalists and activists mainly for environmental protection, but also from other social causes, to which there have now been threats against reporting work in the State of Mexico.

The video of the moment journalists linked to El Universal were trying to document the extraction of tepetate on the Tecalco-Chiconautla hill, in San Pablo Tecalco, was circulated through social networks.

According to the narration of the reporters and the photographer present, everything was normal in the collection of testimonies via interviews, when they were hit by a group of hooded individuals.

A total of five subjects arrived in the area in a Toyota Hilux van, W30 APG plates from Mexico City. One of them was carrying a long gun, and two more wore vests the State Police with badges.

The first threats were with the gun up, and their demands were to erase the material so far recorded by the cameras in the middle, and then run and intimidate them with the promise of killing them if they returned.

There was even physical violence when beating one of the activists present. The next threat was to “light them with a match” so that they would burn right there. One of the men also shot in the air.

When they managed to get out of there, they left their sources and interviewees in the Plaza Civica, and then set out on the run through Mexico-Pachuca, followed at all times by a “hawk”.

In this regard, the authorities of the Attorney General’s Office of the State of Mexico reported that they will focus their efforts on the proceedings surrounding the violent act that occurred in their territory.

“As a result of a publication on a social network in which it was revealed that journalists from the media outlet EL UNIVERSAL and environmental protection activists had been assaulted and threatened by an armed group (…) he initiated an investigation into these events,” the State Prosecutor’s Office warned.

They also added that in Mexico’s territory authorities at all levels respect journalism, as well as “their commitment to safeguard the rights of those who exercise it.”

Therefore, they warned that the corresponding investigations will be carried out into the attacks narrated in the national newspaper, with the aim of clarifying the facts.

So far, the governor of the entity, Alfredo del Mazo Maza, has not made any statement of what happened. However, he was present at the Toluca Palace of Justice to commemorate the 197th anniversary of the installation of the Judicial Power of the Edomex.

There, the medal “Judiciary of the State of Mexico” was awarded to 10 women and men who “dedicated their lives to the exercise, study and improvement of justice”.

During his speech, he noted that “the judiciary of the State of Mexico has been an example of mettle, strength and institutional character, and has shown a historic commitment to peace, law and justice.”

Among the characters awarded were 10 jurists who have stood out for their skills, qualities, competencies, professional practice, academic, work and career in the judiciary.

This was the case of Olga Sánchez Cordero, president of the Senate Board of Directors, who won the “Allbertina Ezeta Uribe” medal, and the retired minister, José Ramón Cossío Díaz, who received the medal “Jacobo de Villarrutia López y Osorio.

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