Ex-Mexican governor held for allegedly destroying evidence tied to 43 missing students
The case, considered one of the country's worst human-rights atrocities, has been marred by missteps and interference.
Former Mexican governor Angel Aguirre has been arrested for allegedly destroying evidence related to the 2014 disappearance of 43 students, authorities announced on Thursday. He faces charges of obstruction of justice and forced disappearance, according to Attorney General Ernestina Godoy. The case, one of Mexico's worst human rights violations, has been plagued by missteps and interference.
International investigations determined the students from Ayotzinapa Rural Teachers College were killed by criminal elements working with police while en route to a protest in Mexico City; remains of three victims have been identified, but the others remain missing. Godoy said testimony from two sources in January and May, including a protected witness, pointed to Aguirre potentially ordering the destruction of evidence at a meeting with senior administrators in his government.
The witness had remained silent due to threats until recently. Initially, state authorities claimed security footage of the students traveling by bus near government offices in Guerrero did not exist. However, a new witness came forward this year. Angela Buitrago, a member of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts, an international rights team investigating the case, said Aguirre's involvement was confirmed based on new evidence.
She stated that if the footage had been made public earlier, it could have aided in finding the students. The incident is considered a state crime, regardless of whether committed by state or federal authorities.
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