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PGR and group of experts to conduct new investigation at Cocula

The purpose is to prove or disprove the hypothesis that the bodies of the missing students of Ayotzinapa were cremated at the dump of Cocula.

The students, who went missing in 2014, were allegedly handed over by municipal police officers to the criminal gang Guerreros Unidos that killed them, burned their bodies and tossed their remains into a nearby river. (Photo: Archive / EL UNIVERSAL)
28/02/2016 |14:05Juan Omar Fierro |
Redacción El Universal
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Despite opposition from the parents of the 43 missing students of the Teachers Training College of Ayotzinapa, Mexico Attorney General's Office (PGR) and members of the Interdisciplinary Group of Independent Experts of the Inter-American Commission on Human Rights (IACHR) will launch a third investigation to prove or disprove the hypothesis that the bodies of the students were cremated at the dump of Cocula, Guerrero.

The students, who went missing on September 26, 2014, were allegedly handed over by municipal police officers to the criminal gang Guerreros Unidos that killed them, burned their bodies beyond recognition and tossed their remains into a nearby river in plastic bags.

Arely Gómez, Mexico's Attorney General, said that national and international experts will participate in the new investigation but did not provide their names.

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The hypothesis that the students were cremated has been questioned by the experts of the IACHR and also by the Argentine Forensic Anthropology Team (EAAF), that found evidence of multiple fires in the area, but none of sufficient magnitude to incinerate 43 bodies.

The PGR explained that the investigation was agreed on October 20, 2015 and that will be conducted according to objectives and conditions agreed by both parties. The resulting report, that will be presented to the PGR and the group of experts, should be ready before March 31.