Overview
- Rafael León Segovia, known as “Lafita León,” was arrested on Dec. 24 in Coatzacoalcos by Ministerial Police with military support, according to the Veracruz state prosecutor’s office.
- Prosecutors imputed terrorism, encubrimiento and offenses against security institutions, and a control judge deemed the detention legal and imposed mandatory preventive custody.
- A continuation hearing is scheduled in the coming days, with several outlets reporting Dec. 29 for the next session.
- ARTICLE 19 and local journalist groups urge due process and disclosure of evidence, warning that severe charges against reporters chill coverage in one of Mexico’s most dangerous states for the press.
- Governor Rocío Nahle said the case is unrelated to free expression and rests with the state prosecutor, while the journalist’s family alleges procedural irregularities during the arrest and the CEAPP reports it is providing legal support.