The new law against extortion is positive, but its application must be monitored: expert

Following general approval in the Chamber of Deputies of the General Law to Prevent, Investigate and Punish Crimes Related to ExtortionFernando Jiménez Sánchez, security expert and researcher at the College of Jalisco, assured that the reform is positive, as it increases prison sentences and grants the State the power to investigate the incident ex officio – that is, without it being necessary to file a complaint – but warned that the actions of the authorities in its application must be monitored.

“This opens many possibilities for the authorities to properly investigate the crime without putting the identity and the person who is suffering an extension at risk. On the other hand, the increase in penalties is very useful because it helps us (the alleged criminals) spend a longer time in prison,” he said.

READ: Deputies generally endorse Extortion Law in Mexico

With this new law, prison sentences of up to 25 years are contemplated, depending on the aggravating circumstances. In addition, anonymous reporting was also enabled through number 089. The expert also highlighted the approval of the crime of extortion in all states, which he described as a “very good idea” so that all authorities act in coordination. “It’s a substantial improvement. Implementation will probably take work, but on paper the reform is adequate.”

However, in this sense, he warned that, as in all crimes, the authorities can abuse the new measures, as well as informal preventive detention or that investigation files are opened “in a manner.” For this reason, it was considered important to implement a surveillance system with the reform, in which the entire process of integrating research is monitored.

“That’s the gap. What would be expected is that it could be accompanied by an adequate surveillance system of the entire process in this type of folders, because extortion is a complicated crime.. For example, any accusation could be, in a certain case, an investigation file, and that directly implies going to prison. “We have to be very careful that the institutions act appropriately and follow the law,” he pointed out.

YC