Mexico’s Supreme Court dismisses appeal of military jurisdiction in crimes against civilians

In Mexico, challenge of military courts fails

MEXICO CITY — Mexico’s Supreme Court has dismissed an appeal against the practice of allowing military courts to judge soldiers involved in crimes against civilians.

The court says it rejected an appeal by a woman whose husband was shot by soldiers in northern Sinaloa state in 2008 because she lacks legal standing to file the appeal.

The woman claims that her constitutional rights were violated by allowing military tribunals to judge such cases, rather than civilian courts.

But the court ruled Monday that crime victims have a right to appeal only when crimes were not being prosecuted at all.

The military justice system has charged five soldiers in the shootings, which killed four civilians.