Violent arrests as hundreds rally over 43 missing students in Mexico

© Reuters/Henry Romero

A protester (C) is detained by riot police after a protest march to demand justice for the 43 missing students of the Ayotzinapa Teacher Training College, at Zocalo Square in Mexico City February 26, 2015.

Mexican police have violently arrested protesters rallying in the country's capital. The demonstrators are demanding a thorough investigation into the disappearance of 43 students in September.

Clashes between police and protesters broke out during the organized demonstration on the five-month anniversary of the disappearance of the students, who were attending a teacher training college in Ayotzinapa, located in southwestern Guerrero state.

Thousands have been rallying in the streets of Mexico City, carrying banners with the portraits of the missing students. Their parents were leading the demonstration.

Violentas detenciones en #AcciónGlobalAyotzinapa http://bit.ly/1AenFLu

— Proyecto Ambulante (@proamboax) February 27, 2015

The rally went peacefully through the streets of the capital, but the clashes started when part of the crowd moved to one of the subway station, according to RT Spanish reports.

Reportan detenciones cerca del Metro Sevilla Fotos: @bpm_arian4 http://bit.ly/1Ew3bo6 http://bit.ly/1Ew3bEk

— Sin Embargo (@SinEmbargoMX) February 27, 2015

The incident has caused a number of mass protests in the country, with people demanding justice and demonstrating against corrupt police. Mexican's president's visit to the United States last month has been also marred with rallies.

An independent investigative report published in December claimed that the Federal Police was directly involved in the attack, contrary to the authorities' statements. The college the students were attending is known for its left-wing activism. The probe also asserted that state and federal authorities were tracking the students' movements on September 26 in real-time; not only did authorities do nothing to prevent their abduction and consequent murder, but police reportedly directly attacked the youths. It is believed that the students were handed over to local gangs and killed.

Reportan detenciones en Av Chapultepec Fotos: @maskbalam http://bit.ly/1Ew3bo6 http://bit.ly/1Ew3e3h

— Sin Embargo (@SinEmbargoMX) February 27, 2015

Maria de los Angeles Pineda Villa, whose husband José Luis Abarca Velázquez was the mayor of Iguala when the students went missing, has been charged with organized crime and money laundering. Pineda is being held in a maximum security prison until the start of her trial.

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