To demand the release of five detained community leaders, nearly 100 Indigenous people from the Soledad Los Cerezos Section II community, in the municipality of San Cristóbal, protested this Wednesday in front of the State Social Reintegration Center for Sentenced Persons (CERSS) No. 5, in San Cristóbal de Las Casas, denouncing the accusations against them as false.
The protesters stated that their companions were arrested last Sunday by state police agents, accused of alleged crimes such as dispossession, theft, extortion, and kidnapping, which they claim stem from an internal conflict within the community related to the application of traditional customs and practices.
According to the demonstrators, the problem began when a resident was sanctioned by the community assembly for failing to comply with agreements regarding land use. Subsequently, this individual filed a complaint in retaliation, which led to the arrest warrants issued against the five community members.
During the protest held outside the prison located on the San Cristóbal-Ocosingo highway, residents demanded the intervention of judicial authorities and a review of the case.
They also warned that they would not allow the justice system to be used to criminalize those who defend their territory and respect community decisions.
Finally, they asked the Public Prosecutor’s Office and the judge to dismiss the charges, considering it an internal conflict and not a criminal act.
Source: prensalibrechiapas
