August 25, 2020, Chihuahua -- The Coalition For Women In Journalism welcomes the prison sentence given to the mastermind of journalist Miroslava Breach’s murder.

Miroslava Breach, who reported on organized crime, drug-trafficking and corruption for a national newspaper, La Jornada, and a regional newspaper, Norte de Ciudad Juárez was 

shot to death eight times in her car outside her home in the city of Chihuahua on 23 March 2017. 

Her killers had left a note saying: "For being a loud-mouth."

During a hearing held on August 17, Chihuahua federal judge sentenced Juan Carlos Moreno Ochoa, “El Larry”, to 50 years in prison for the murder of the journalist, Miroslava Breach Velducea.

The court assessed the evidence provided by the Prosecutor General’s Office (FGR) and determined the responsibility of the convicted person in the murder committed with aggravating circumstances of premeditation and treachery. Moreover, the judge decided that the intimidating messages left during Miroslava’s murder were a breach of freedom of the expression and freedom of the press.  

The FGR assured that the 50-year sentence is the highest sentence to date and represents a precedent in investigations of crimes committed against freedom of expression. Miroslava was murdered as a result of her work and investigations as a journalist in which she pointed to the Los Salazar criminal group as the main operator in the municipality of Chínipas.

In October 2018, the FGR's Special Prosecutor for Crimes Committed against Freedom of Expression (FEADLE) had requested the judicial authorities to impose a 70-year prison sentence on Moreno Ochoa.

The Coalition For Women In Journalism considers the decision as an important precedent that will not only reinstate trust in the judicial system but also relieve the public conscience.

Mexico remains to be one of the world's deadliest countries for the press with 90% of attacks on journalists in the country going unsolved. We call upon authorities to take the example of Miroslava Breach in future cases and ensure the safety of journalists and guarantee freedom of expression in the country.