Chiapas: 9 prisoners in solidarity with the Voz del Amate released, but Patishtán will remain imprisoned

Rosario Días Méndez, released after 8 years’ imprisonment. Photo @SIPAZ

On 4 July 9 prisoners who adhere to the EZLN’s Sixth Declaration were released from the San Cristóbal prison, following three days of waiting after their forthcoming release had been announced (on Tuesday). Outside the prison, in rain and shine, their mothers, wives, and children awaited them. Governor Manuel Velasco Coello arrived to the prison to hand over to the indigenous their acts of release, after having interviewed each one. Those who were allowed to leave prison no. 5 include the following: Rosario Díaz Méndez, Pedro López Jiménez, Juan Collazo Jiménez, Juan Díaz López, Rosa López Díaz, Alfredo López Jiménez, Juan López González, and Benjamín López Díaz. The professor Alberto Patishtán Gómez, member of the Voz del Amate who has been imprisoned for 13 years, will remain incarcerated together with Alejandro Díaz Sántiz, a prisoner in solidarity with the Voz del Amate. During the night, the liberated indigenous ex-prisoners came to the San Cristóbal cathedral to visit the tomb of former bishop Samuel Ruiz García.

For more information (in Spanish):

Liberan a nueve indígenas en Chiapas; Patishtán seguirá preso (La Jornada, 5 de julio de 2013)

Demoran tres días en liberar a presos porque… esperaban al gobernador (Proceso, 4 de julio de 2013)

Obtienen su libertad ocho presos de la Voz del Amate. Patishtán continúa tras las rejas. (Desinformemonos, julio de 2013)

Especial: Días cruciales para lograr la libertad de Alberto Patishtán (Desinformemonos, julio de 2013)

Blog de Alberto Patishtán

For more information from SIPAZ (in English):

Chiapas: March in Cerss no. 5 of San Cristóbal de Las Casas for prisoner Rosario Méndez (5 March 2013)

Chiapas: New sentence of 25 years for Rosario Díaz Méndez (5 February 2013)

Chiapas: Pilgrimage by the Believing People for the release of professor Alberto Patishtan (23 April 2013)

Chiapas: Petition from the CDHFBC to release Alberto Patishtán (15 April 2013)

Chiapas: Forthcoming actions for the release of Alberto Patishtán (8 April 2013)