Mexican court votes for genocide charges against ex-president
The Supreme Court of Mexico decided by a 3-2 vote on Wednesday to press genocide charges against former President Luis Echeverria, a move viewed as historic by the country's judicial sources.

With the decision, the case will be returned to a lower court to examine the evidence presented by a special prosecutor. A ruling will follow on whether Echeverria, his Interior Minister Mario Moya Palencia and other former officials are guilty.

The former senior officials are held responsible for the killing of student demonstrators on June 10, 1971, in the Casco de Santo Tomas area of Mexico City. Nearly 40 students were attacked and killed by a paramilitary group.

According to judicial sources, Judge Hermelinda Velasco will issue arrest warrants if Echeverria and Moya are found guilty.

In July 2004, special prosecutor Ignacio Carrillo requested arrest warrants against Echeverria, 83, and 11 other top officials accused of involvement in the massacre.

After the demand was rejected by a judge, the special prosecutor filed an appeal on Aug. 25, 2004, requesting the Supreme Court to bring to justice those who committed crimes during Mexico's so-called "Dirty War" under Echeverria, who was in power from 1970 to 1976.