Mexican federal police reportedly beat, threaten Juárez police spokesman

By Marisela Ortega Lozano / El Paso Times
Posted: 08/29/2011 04:24:54 AM MDT

Three Mexican federal police officers in Juárez allegedly beat and threatened a Juárez police spokesman, officials said.
Adrián Sánchez was allegedly attacked Friday night when he changed lanes on De las Torres Avenue, Sanchez said in a telephone interview.

Upon getting pulled over and stepping out of his vehicle, which was marked as an official police unit, federal police officers reportedly verbally abused, pushed and kicked Sánchez on the legs, Sánchez said.

"I followed their instructions all the time, so there was no reason for their behavior," Sánchez said. "But when I identified myself as an official from city police, they (federal police officers) acted up even worse." According to Sánchez, one federal officer instructed him to open his legs to search him while their partners checked Sánchez's vehicle thoroughly and began calling him names.

"Once they found out I work as the local police spokesman, they threatened me and told me they're going to beat me up the way Juárez police officers beat federal officers, they said," Sánchez added.

The whole incident happened in a 15-minute timespan in the middle of a busy avenue located in south Juárez.

Sánchez felt it like hours.

He said the federal officers threatened to pick him up the way criminals abduct and make their victims disappear.

"They warned me not to give them any reason to pick me up," Sánchez said.

"Take that warning as you wish, they said." Sánchez said federal officers
laughed and said, "Send our regards to your boss, Mayor (Héctor) MurguÃ*a." The federal officers sped away without further incident. Sánchez said he was not seriously injured.
Sánchez filed a criminal complaint against his alleged attackers on Saturday morning, charging them with death threats and mistreatment.

"I felt victimized as a citizen and also as a public servant," Sánchez said. "The whole experience was so scary."

Sánchez believes he was attacked as a result of the ongoing clashes between Mexican federal police, Juárez Chief of Police Julián Leyzaola, and MurguÃ*a.

Sánchez said his boss backs him up, but didn¹t elaborate.

He said he filed a criminal complaint against his alleged attackers for the public to be aware of federal police officers' actions. They should be punished to the fullest extent of the law, he added.

"They (feds) might follow out their warnings against me," Sánchez said. "For now, I am very aware of my surroundings." Mexican federal police officials could not be reached for comment.

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