CPJ concerned about arrest of Mexican journalist

July 6, 2012

New York, July 6, 2012--The Committee to Protect Journalists is concerned about the arrest of prominent Mexican journalist Sanjuana Martinez Thursday in Nuevo Leon under unclear circumstances related to a civil custody dispute. The judge who ordered the detention was the subject of critical reporting by Martinez in 2008.

"We are troubled by the detention of Sanjuana Martinez and demand her release," said Carlos Lauria, CPJ's senior program coordinator for the Americas. "We call on Mexican authorities to reassign Martinez's case to avoid a potential conflict of interest and ensure a due process of law."

In 2008, Martinez, who writes for daily La Jornada, reported critically on judge Guerrero Delgado's role in ordering a raid on a center for victims of domestic violence. News reports said the journalist was detained Thursday by armed police, which is unusual in a civil case. The police did not provide a warrant or a reason for the arrest at the time. Martinez could be held for up to 36 hours, according to reports.


For more information contact:
Committee to Protect Journalists
Phone: 212-465-1004
Website: www.cpj.org