Overview
- Veracruz prosecutors formally accused crime reporter Rafael León Segovia of terrorism under article 311, encubrimiento, and crimes against public security after his Dec. 24 detention in Coatzacoalcos by ministerial police and the army.
- Claudia Sheinbaum questioned the use of the terrorism statute and said freedom of expression must be protected, adding that any proven offense must be clearly distinguished from his journalistic work.
- Veracruz Governor Rocío Nahle said there is no terrorism in Mexico and indicated the state Fiscalía must present the legal basis, with a judge set to review the case on Dec. 30 after León invoked the extended constitutional term.
- Press-rights group Article 19 condemned the detention, warning of criminalization of journalism and noting the case stems from León’s reporting on violent crime and alleged prosecutorial irregularities.
- León’s family alleges irregularities during the arrest, including seizure of a vehicle and cash, and points to prior harassment such as an acid attack on his car and account reviews.