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Statement by Spanish detainees held for eight days in Mexico
We are four people of Spanish nationality that were taking a walk, the 5th of August, 2007, in the center of Oaxaca City, on “Independencia” Street.
A little after 9:30pm we were suddenly surrounded by plain clothes police officers, some of whom were carrying high caliber weapons and dressed in dark blue uniforms with bullet-proof protection. The two police officers giving orders were dressed as civilians and were accompanied by white Nissan pick-up trucks.
They forced the four of us and a Mexican guy to face the wall with our hands behind our heads, despite the presence of several civilians witnessing the situation. Without asking for our identification or giving an explanation, they violently forced us inside one of the pick-ups.
During the ride we asked them for an explanation and they answered With blows and insults. At this point one of us showed them a press badge. Immediately following this, they forced us to lay down and they covered us with a plastic tarp, blocking all visual contact among ourselves and between us and them.
After an approximately ten minute drive, we arrived at a place that Looked like a police or military quarters where people were dressed in blue and gr en uniforms. When they took us out of the truck they covered our heads and dragged us to a wall where we were forced to kneel down while they took away our back packs, fanny packs, documentation, and money.
One by one they took us to a dark and empty room. In this room they Took face and profile photos of us. They forced the three women among us to remain standing facing the wall with our hands behind our heads. The men were forced to kneel down, also facing the wall. While being held captive, some of us received beatings, were forced to Do humiliating acts, were insulted, and threatened. One of the women Suffered sexual aggression, and the Mexican man was forced to do push-ups while a group of officers laughed at him and threatened to "use the *pu&n