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Veracruz Reporter Rafael León Held in Pretrial Detention on Terrorism Allegations

Press-freedom advocates call the case criminalization of his crime-beat work, urging due process.

Overview

  • State prosecutors in Coatzacoalcos arrested Rafael León Segovia on Dec. 24 under a judicial warrant for alleged terrorism, aiding concealment, and offenses against security institutions.
  • Ministerial Police executed the operation with support from the Defense Ministry and placed the reporter before a control judge.
  • The judge deemed the detention legal and ordered mandatory pretrial detention as continuation hearings are set for late December.
  • The Veracruz prosecutor’s office has not disclosed detailed evidence tying the alleged crimes to León’s reporting.
  • Article 19 and local press associations condemned the case, pressed for protection measures, and cited León’s prior threats including a 2020 attack on his vehicle.