Former Mexico president cleared on genocide charges

MEXICO CITY, July 9 (Reuters) Former Mexican President Luis Echeverria was cleared of genocide charges for his role in a 1968 massacre, in a blow to efforts to prosecute former leaders for rights abuses.

Echeverria, 84, was charged with genocide a week ago and was placed under house arrest, but yesterday a judge ruled the statute of limitations had expired and he could not be put on trial, defense lawyer Juan Velasquez said.

Velasquez said he expected a government special prosecutor to appeal the ruling, but he predicted yesterday's ruling would end efforts to put Echeverria on trial.

''It's over. I would say everything around 1968 is about to end,'' he told Reuters. ''I have no doubt the prosecutor will appeal, but I also have no doubt that the appeal is just a formalism for the final failure.'' Echeverria was Mexico's president from 1970 to 1976, at the height of a so-called dirty war against suspected left-wing radicals.

He was interior minister in charge of national security when security forces stormed a student rally in the capital on Oct. 2, 1968, days before the Mexico City Olympics began.

The tragedy remains a potent symbol of years of violence when the government cracked down on student radicals in Mexico City and small guerrilla groups in the countryside.

REUTERS PDS RAI0700