State migrants chief held for trial in Mexico’s deadly fire

A makeshift altar in honour of migrants who died in last month’s fire, at immigration detention centre in Ciudad Juarez, Thursday. Pic/AP

A judge on Saturday ordered the immigration director of Mexico's northern border state of Chihuahua to stand trial Saturday on charges of homicide, injuries and failure to perform his duties, for last month's deadly fire at a migrant detention center. The judge ordered the director, Salvador Gonzalez, held in prison pending trial.

Judge Juan Jose Chavez said there was evidence that Gonzalez failed to do his duty to protect the migrants. Forty migrants died in the March 27 fire in the border city of Ciudad Juarez, after a migrant allegedly set fire to foam mattresses to protest a supposed transfer. "In the end, everything depends on the head" official, Chavez said. "Not complying with standards does have its results."

Five other officials of the country's National Immigration Institute, a guard at the center and the Venezuelan migrant accused of starting the blaze are already in custody facing homicide charges. The step is significant, in part because González is a retired Mexican navy rear admiral. He is the highest ranking official to be held over for trial in the case.

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No of migrants who died in the fire

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