Police officer held over deadly casino attack in Mexico

A STATE police officer has been arrested in connection with last week’s arson fire at a casino that killed 52 people in northern Mexico.

The state police agent was caught in a surveillance video inside an SUV outside Casino Royale, presumably connected to the attack, said Assistant Attorney General Jose Cuitlahuac Salinas.

The agent is in custody of federal investigators, Salinas told a news conference.

Five alleged members of the Zetas drug cartel were arrested last Sunday in connection with last week’s fire in Monterrey, called one of the worst attacks in Mexico’s five-year drug war.

Police have said at least 12 people were involved.

Agents are investigating whether the attack was in retaliation for not paying extortion money.

Gunmen last week ignited gasoline at the entrance to the Casino Royale. Terrified customers and employees ran deep inside the building. Many were found dead from smoke inhalation in offices and bathrooms.

Meanwhile, a political magazine’s founder and a freelance journalist were found murdered in a Mexico City park.

Two joggers discovered the bodies of Marcela Yarce and Rocio Gonzalez — both 48, near a cemetery in El Mirador park in the poor, crowded neighbourhood of Iztapalapa.

The necks of the women bore strangulation marks and their hands were tied behind their back.

Authorities gave no motives in the killings.

Ms Yarce founded Contralinea magazine and Ms Gonzalez was a freelancer and former reporter for the Televisa television network.

Mexico’s National Human Rights Commission has said 72 journalists have been killed in the country since 2000.

Other press groups cite lower numbers.