Mexico: Self-defence militia boss cleared of weapons charges
MEXICO CITY – The lawyer for a self-defence movement leader in Mexico is hailing his client’s acquittal on charges of illegal weapons possession.
Attorney Ignacio Mendoza says the court ruling in favour of Jose Manuel Mireles is confirmation that the government acted irresponsibly.
Mendoza said Wednesday that the government acted “without shame” when it gave weapons to self-defence militias and then arrested them.
Mireles is a founder and leader of a civilian militia that formed in 2013 in the western state of Michoacan to oppose the Knights Templar drug cartel.
Mireles spent nearly three years behind bars awaiting trial before being freed on bond in May 2017.
In a message on Facebook, he thanked those who supported him during his “quest for justice.”
Mireles was acquitted Tuesday night.
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