Mexican ruling says troops should face civilian trial

[struggle4progress]

13 July 2011 Last updated at 00:30 ET
By Julian Miglierini BBC News, Mexico City

... The ruling restricts the extent of the military code of justice in Mexico.

It says that the cases in which the perpetrator of the abuse is a member of the armed forces and the victim a civilian, the case should be dealt with by a civilian court.

Over the last few years these types of cases have become more and more frequent, as in many cities in Mexico the army has policing powers and direct contact with the population.

Soldiers have been accused of opening fire on civilians at checkpoints in areas infested by drug cartels, and of carrying out illegal arrests and searches ...

http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-latin-america-14132811