Today at approximately 10:15 a.m. Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno was granted freedom. Juan Manuel was sentenced to prison for 16 months, unjustly accused for the murder of U.S. journalist Brad Will.

Finally, today was imposed that there was no solid argument to keep Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno detained in prison. In every light, Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno is INNOCENT, and has been a HOSTAGE FOR THE STATE in order to keep U.S. government officials away from resolving the case of Brad Will.

Since December 30, 2009, the federal justice granted him refuge because of the lack of evidence against his charges. But the Attorney General (PGR in Spanish initials) intervened and interrupted the process of revision of documents which kept him in prison a month and a half longer.

The freedom of Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno has been a great triumph for many social movements, for example supporters like the teacher’s union (Sección 22), and support from national and international human right organizations who have been demanding his release. The family also received support from activists throughout Oaxaca, Mexico, Latin America and Europe.

From a legal standpoint, the release of Juan Manuel Martinez Moreno strips naked the forms of justice in Mexico. This is an example of an investigation that lacks professionalism and highlights the criminalization of social protect. Also, the proof and testimonies used against him were all fabricated and manipulated.

During the penal process we knew that members of the procurator of justice were biased, they also had involvement and power inside the judicial system.  Recently, the Secretary of Justice Lic. Lorena Jiménez, penal judge IV, was named judge, after her services with the case of Martinez Moreno.

We continue to demand an investigation of the murder victims of 2006, the murder of Brad Will, and reiterate. We won’t permit an accusation of another activist in the social movement, without proof, as they did with Juan Manuel.   

Stop with the impunity in Oaxaca!

Attentively the Committee of Liberation 25 of November.