Mexican cardinal demands justice for victims of casino attack

Mexico City, Mexico, Sep 7, 2011 / 12:01 pm

Cardinal Francisco Robles Ortega of Monterrey, Mexico has urged officials to track down those responsible for the attack on the Casino Royale and bring them to justice.

The Aug. 25 attack killed 52 people.

“Precisely because these innocent lives were lost, as a society we must not forget the sacrifice and sorrow their family members are experiencing.”

“(F)or the sake of that sorrow we demand that all these irregularities be cleared up and justice be carried out,” the cardinal told reporters following Mass on Sept. 5.

He also mentioned the accusations of corruption that surround the case. “We already pointed out that when these unfortunate things happen, they bring to light many irregularities which are the result of corruption and complicity.  If the rule of law is always to be respected, it should be much more so when we are dealing with the loss of human lives.”

Cardinal Robles also urged support for the employees of the casino, who may be laid off without pay. 

According to the AFP news agency, six suspects have been detained, including a police officer.  The attack may have come after the owner of the casino, Raul Rocha, refused to pay money to the drug cartel Los Zetas in exchange for protection.

Rocha fled Mexico after the attack and said he would not return to the country until officials could guarantee his personal safety.