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Precinct commander charged in nightclub raid

  • Story Highlights
  • At least 30 females say they were ordered to remove their clothes after the raid
  • City attorney: "We don't take pictures, nor do we do it in those conditions"
  • Police outside the club blocked its exit after ordering patrons out
  • Authorities: About 150 nightclubs in Mexico City are believed to sell minors alcohol
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From Rey Rodriguez
CNN
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MEXICO CITY, Mexico (CNN) -- The man who oversaw the police raid on a Mexico City nightclub on Friday during which 12 people were killed was charged with 12 counts of homicide, prosecutors said.

Officials remove a body from the nightclub in Mexico City, Mexico, last week.

Officials remove a body from the nightclub in Mexico City, Mexico, last week.

Precinct Commander Guillermo led the raid at the News Divine nightclub, where police said they had gone to check on reports of underage drinking and drug use. The legal age for drinking is 18 in Mexico.

Police initially ordered the approximately 500 patrons out of the nightclub. But soon after, while hundreds of people, including a number of police, were still inside the club, the police outside blocked the exit.

Panic ensued and seven minors and three police were fatally crushed or asphyxiated.

Some survivors allege that police beat them. At least 30 young females said they were ordered to remove their clothes after the operation, so that they could be photographed.

The capital's solicitor said that's not the policy of public ministries.

"We don't take pictures, nor do we do it in those conditions, but we are not excusing anyone," said City Attorney General Rodolfo Felix Cardenas. "We are going to review this very closely." Video Watch video of the News Divine incident »

The club's owner has been charged with code violations.

About 150 nightclubs in Mexico City are believed to sell alcohol and drugs to minors, authorities said.

One security specialist estimated there are many more.

"How can the level of corruption exist that allows places like this, with that lack of security, to accept young people -- and I'm talking practically about children who appear 12 and 14 years old?" asked Rene Jimenez, an investigator for the National Autonomous University of Mexico.

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Despite complaints from nearby residents, many such places have never been closed, she said.

Some observers believe stricter laws and less corruption in the granting of permits to open such clubs would avoid incidents like the one at News Divine.

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