September 23, 2011
Mexico Drops Terrorism Charges in Twitter Case
Kilian Melloy READ TIME: 1 MIN.
Criticism of the terrorism case led the Veracruz state legislature to pass a law Tuesday creating the charge of disturbing the peace to cover the situation purportedly created by the pair.
But state Interior Secretary Gerardo Buganza told Milenio Television on Wednesday that Gilberto Martinez and Maria de Jesus Bravo would not have to face the new charge.
Defense lawyer Claribel Guevara welcomed their release and praised the support they received from free speech advocates and others.
"Far from scaring people (to stay away from tweeting), it has shown there is great unity among users of social networks," Guevara said. "We all won because this is a victory for freedom of expression."
A judge charged the couple with terrorism and sabotage last month after Twitter messages appeared warning that the Zetas drug cartel planned attacks on schools in Veracruz city. The messages sparked chaos as parents rushed to look for their children.
Kilian Melloy serves as EDGE Media Network's Associate Arts Editor and Staff Contributor. His professional memberships include the National Lesbian & Gay Journalists Association, the Boston Online Film Critics Association, The Gay and Lesbian Entertainment Critics Association, and the Boston Theater Critics Association's Elliot Norton Awards Committee.
