SAN DIEGO (Border Report) — Three attorneys have been murdered in recent weeks in Tijuana prompting a lawyers’ group to ask police for more protection.
Jaime Paniagua Pimentel, president of Baja California’s Federation and Association of Lawyers, told reporters earlier this week that many of his fellow attorneys are facing constant threats from members of the public and organized crime.
“All of us in this noble profession are exposed to this type of delinquency, whether it be common or in an organized form related to our work,” he said.
Paniagua Pimentel emphasized a need for authorities to follow up on investigations when threats are made. He is also asking that more be done to find out who is behind the deaths of several attorneys since late last year.
“We’ll be paying close attention to these investigations to see an if there’s an outcome,” he said. “We are offering our services to help in any way possible.”
Dating back to Sept. 30, a total of four lawyers have been killed in Tijuana.
Investigators have said they suspect “drug cells” were involved in at least one of the homicides and have arrested three men in connection with that killing.
They did not offer any more details as to why attorneys are being targeted.
According to Baja California state police investigators, 12 lawyers have been killed since last year in the state.