More than half of Mexico's State prosecutors resign over gov't restructuring plan

[News_Editor]

More than half of Mexico's State prosecutors resign over gov't restructuring plan

2011-08-03 17:00:10 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- More than half of Mexico's State prosecutors resigned last week over differences with a new government restructuring plan, the country's Federal Attorney General's Office confirmed on Tuesday.

The office, which is known by its Spanish initials PGR, confirmed that 21 out of 32 State prosecutors resigned last week by their own will. The office did not explain the reason for the massive resignation.

However, according to the La Jornada newspaper, the prosecutors decided to resign because of their differences with a new restructuring plan which is being implemented by Attorney General Marisela Morales Ibáñez.

"They increased the work hours for the prosecutor and his staff, restricted their expenses, including stationery, gas fuel, food and travel money, and they put sociologists, anthropologists and communication specialists in the top positions, instead of lawyers," one of the former prosecutors told the La Jornada newspaper.

As of Wednesday, 65 percent of all Mexican states, including Mexico City, were without a top prosecutor. "The purge inside the PGR is fundamental to give the citizens the results they legitimately demand," Marisela Morales said in a brief press release.

In the next few days, a special Council which is in charge of the appointment of top positions inside the PGR will decide who will take over the positions which are now vacant.

The massive resignations happened amid a government offensive against organized crime which has already caused over 40,000 deaths in Mexico in recent years. PGR plays an essential role in the country's fight against the drug cartels.

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