Journalist, environmental activist found dead in central Mexico

By Kendal Blust
Published: Friday, February 17, 2023 - 11:09pm

A journalist was found dead in central Mexico this week. Press freedom groups want authorities to investigate the case.

The body of Abisai Perez Romero was found in the central Mexican state of Hidalgo, a day after he was reported missing.

A journalist and environmental activist, Perez was studying communications at the Autonomous University of Mexico City and published reports on environmental issues with various outlets, according to the press freedom group, Article 19.

Official reports suggest Perez died from a blow to the head that could have resulted from a fall. However, Article 19 and the university have called on authorities to carry out a thorough investigation, noting the dangers reporters face in Mexico, which was considered the deadliest country in the world for journalists last year.

https://fronterasdesk.org/content/1839184/journalist-environmental-activist-found-dead-central-mexico






Google translation:Young activist was found lifeless in Tula, Hidalgo

Abisai Pérez Romero, had disappeared three days earlier and there is a suspicion that he was assassinated for his work in defense of the Tula River and the Mezquital Valley



Abisai Perez Romero Social networks
LILIANA GOMEZ

02/16/2023 18:32
Abisai Pérez Romero, an activist and collaborator in the local media in the municipality of Tula, Hidalgo, was found dead on February 13 in the same entity. The boy had disappeared three days before and there is a suspicion that he was murdered for his work in defense of the Tula River and the Mezquital Valley.

His family rules out that it was an assault because they found his complete belongings in the place where the body was found, (bicycle, camera and backpack). They will even open an investigation folder to find out what happened.

Abisai, studied at the Autonomous University of Mexico City, Cuautepec campus, he entered the Communication and Culture career in 2014. He was a cheerful and reserved boy, he worked against environmental injustices.

According to the Toltec Region portal, Abisai had been disseminating the environmental impacts of the Mezquital Valley, specifically in what is known as the Toltec region, so it is not ruled out that his murder is related to his journalism and activism.

Pérez Romero was participating in the Civil Organization, Atlas of Environmental Justice on the impacts on the Tula River caused by the East Emission Tunnel (TEO). The Atlas de Justicia has also documented the contamination caused by the project called the Regional Center for Urban Solid Waste Treatment (CTRSU) in Atitalaquia, Hidalgo. Project announced on January 11, 2022, by the former governor of Hidalgo, Omar Fayad Meneses, which seeks to receive 350 tons of garbage per day.

https://www.cronica.com.mx/nacional/joven-activista-defendia-valle-mezquital-encontrado-vida-tula.html

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Death of the journalist Abisaí Pérez was due to a fall, says the coroner; RSF demands investigation – El Sol de Mazatlán



After the death of journalist Abisaí Pérez Romero, the forensic report established a generalized subdural hematoma as the cause of death, secondary to facial trauma caused by a fall from his own height.

Preliminarily, the autopsy indicates that the death of the also activist does not have criminal characteristics, since, as indicated by the forensic path, the body did not show traces of violence.

However, Reporters Without Borders announced that Pérez Romero had been disseminating the socio-environmental impacts of the Mezquital Valley, so it cannot be ruled out that his murder is related to his journalism and activism.

Likewise, it was carrying out investigations on the impacts on the Tula River caused by the Oriente Emission Tunnel (TEO) and on the garbage dump that was attempted to be installed in the municipality of Atitalaquia, where another activist was also assassinated.

Abisaí was a student of the degree in Communication and Culture of the Autonomous University of México City (UACM), Cuautepec campus.

More:
https://www.mazatlanweekly.com/2023/02/18/death-of-the-journalist-abisai-perez-was-due-to-a-fall-says-the-coroner-rsf-demands-investigation-el-sol-de-mazatlan/