Ruben Espinosa was found dead among five others in Mexico's capital city on Friday. A month ago, Espinosa claimed that he felt threatened by the governor of eastern Veracruz state in an interview. Espinosa was the only male among five victims that the police found bound, beaten and shot in the head in the Narvarte Neighborhood.
The murders drew hundreds of photographers, journalists and activists to gather at the Angel of Independence monument in the capital city. Many holding cut-out photos of Espinosa's face, signs and camera slung over their shoulders. Protestors also took to the streets in Xalapa, the capital of Veracruz and Guadalajara, which is Mexico's second biggest city.
Rodolfo Rios, a Mexico City prosecutor said at a press conference that Espinosa had been living in the capital for 2 months following eight years of living in Veracruz. Rios also said that his office was working together with the division of the federal attorney general’s office dedicated to crimes against freedom of expression.
A relative of Ruben Espinosa stands next to his coffin during the wake in Mexico City, Mexico. August 2, 2015
Photographer: Henry Romero
Regarding Espinosa’s statements about feeling threatened by Duarte, a member of the institutional Revolutionary Party of President Enrique Pena Nieto, Rio said “all lines of investigation are open” The prosecutor also said that robbery and the deliberate targeting of the women were also possible motives.
The 31 year old Espinosa specialized in documenting social movements locally in Veracruz. In February of 2014 he shot a cover photo of Duarte for Proceso, a leading Mexican news magazine. Espinosa worked for the magazine as well as the Cuartoscuro photo agency.
According to the journalism advocacy group article 19, Veracruz is one of Mexico's most dangerous states for journalists with 17 killed since 2000, 11 of which have been murdered since 2010 during Duarte’s term as governor.
via Reuters
