Mexican court closes case against official over 2023 detention centre fire

Victims' groups, however, have denounced the ruling as 'selective' justice that exonerates the former migration chief.

Victims’ groups, however, have denounced the ruling as ‘selective’ justice that exonerates the former migration chief. Victims’ groups, however, have denounced the ruling as ‘selective’ justice that exonerates a former government head. A Mexican judge has closed the case against Francisco Garduno, former head of the country’s immigration agency, for crimes related to the 2023 fire at a Ciudad Juarez detention centre that killed 40 migrants and injured 30 others. The incident was the deadliest event ever to occur at a Mexican immigration centre, and critics said it exposed the shortcomings and irregularities in the country’s detention system. Garduno faced trial for the crimes of abuse of public office and dereliction of duty after footage from the fire showed guards had failed to respond to cries for help.

On Tuesday, Judge Victor Manlio Hernandez Calderon ruled that Garduno had fulfilled the court-mandated measures required to address the damage. But victims rejected that decision and announced they would appeal. “Yesterday, corruption and the impunity of politicians protected by power won again,” the Foundation for Justice, one of the NGOs representing some of the victims, wrote on social media on Wednesday. The victims have also compared the judge’s decision to close the criminal case to a de facto exoneration for Garduno. In their view, the ruling “confirms that justice in Mexico is