Biologist Ramiro Aragon Perez was illegally apprehended on August 10, 2006, by the state police of Oaxaca, who, after keeping him hidden for 24 hours, transferred him to the municipal police of Ejutla de Crespo. He was brought before the Office of the Attorney General of the Republic, which was when his family and friends finally learned of his whereabouts. Subsequently Ramiro was found together with two other people, beaten and tortured in the holding cells of the federal prosecutors, located in the area of Zaachila, Oaxaca.
He is charged with the crime of carrying weapons used exclusively by the Army, a no-bail crime that he roundly denies.
Ramiro Aragon is a highly qualified professional who specializes in ornithological studies, mainly the birds of Oaxaca state, on which he has worked with diverse academic organizations, international foundations devoted to conservation, civil society organizations and specialized researchers such as the Alaska Bird Observatory, Institute for Bird Populations, the magazine North American Birds and the World Wildlife Fund.
Over the past months he collaborated with the Grupo Mesofilo A.C. on conservation and sustainable resources management projects, studying birds on coffee plantations and working on community ecotourism projects.
On August 18, the judge who was hearing the case released the two people in custody with Ramiro but denied him bail, claiming that he is charged with a no-bail crime.
Presently the case of Ramiro Aragon is in the evidentiary stage, and his family and friends are working on his defense through the legal procedures, which require time and financial resources.
Because of that, from the Grupo Mesofilo A.C. and other civic organizations we respectfully call on the individuals and organizations of civil society to continue to collaborate with Ramiro Aragon’s family since his wife has stopped working and receiving a salary in order to devote as much time as she can to his legal case and give Ramiro support directly while he is in custody.
Ramiro Aragon’s family now requires financial resources for the support of his children and to afford the expenses that his permanent legal counsel demands until he wins his freedom.
To make donations to support Ramiro, deposits may be made into the bank account of his wife, Ruth Guzman Sanchez: Bancomer Sucursal 5685. Account number: 1455268567, bank code 012610014552685677. We also request more signatures be collected to support Ramiro’s work and ask for his quick release and withdrawal of the charges against him.
Respectfully
Board of Directors
Grupo Mesofilo A.C.
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SITUACION ACTUAL DEL BIOLOGO RAMIRO ARAGON
El biólogo Ramiro Aragón Pérez fue aprendido ilegalmente el día 10 de agosto del año en curso por policías ministeriales del estado de Oaxaca, que tras de haberlo mantenido desaparecido por más de 24 horas, fueron a entregarlo a la policía municipal de Ejutla de Crespo, quienes lo presentaron ante la Procuraduría General de la República, siendo hasta este momento que sus familiares y amigos tuvieran conocimiento de su paradero. Posteriormente Ramiro fue encontrado junto con dos personas más, golpeados y torturados en los separos del ministerio público federal, localizados en inmediaciones de Zaachila, Oaxaca.
El delito que se le imputa, y el cual él niega rotundamente es el de portación de armas de uso exclusivo del ejército, delito que de acuerdo a la legislación mexicana no le permite alcanzar fianza para conseguir su libertad.
El biólogo Ramiro Aragón es un profesionista altamente calificado en los estudios ornitológicos, principalmente de las aves del estado de Oaxaca, por lo que ha trabajado con diversas organizaciones académicas, fundaciones internacionales dedicadas a la conservación de la naturaleza, organizaciones de la sociedad civil e investigadores especializados como el Alaska Bird Observatory, Institute for Birds Populations, la revista North American Birds, y el Fondo Mundial para la Conservación de la Naturaleza (WWF).
En los últimos meses se encontraba colaborando en proyectos de conservación y manejo sostenible de recursos naturales con el Grupo Mesófilo A.C. en estudios de aves en cafetales y en proyectos de ecoturismo comunitario.
El 18 de agosto el juez que llevaba el caso aceptó liberar a las dos personas detenidas que estaban con Ramiro, pero a él le negó la posibilidad de salir a través del pago de una fianza, alegando que el delito que a él se le imputa no tiene esta posibilidad legal.
Actualmente el caso de Ramiro Aragón se encuentra en una nueva fase jurídica de presentación de pruebas, y su familia y amigos están llevando su defensa a través de los procesos legales que requieren tiempo y recursos económicos.
Por ello, desde el Grupo Mesófilo A.C.,y otras organizaciones civiles hacemos un atento llamado a todas las personas y organizaciones de la sociedad civil para continuar colaborando con la familia de Ramiro Aragón, toda vez que su esposa ha dejado de laborar y de percibir un salario, con la intención de dedicar el mayor tiempo posible a atender su caso jurídico y darle soporte y apoyo de manera directa a Ramiro mientras él se mantiene preso.
La familia de Ramiro Aragón requiere ahora recursos económicos para la manutención de sus hijos, y sufragar los gastos que demanda la asesoría legal permanente mientras el no recobre su libertad.
Para recibir aportaciones en apoyo de Ramiro se pueden hacer depósitos en la cuenta de su esposa Ruth Guzmán Sánchez: Bancomer Sucursal 5685. Número de Cuenta: 1455268567 con CLABE Bancaria 012610014552685677 y además solicitamos recabar un mayor número de firmas para respaldar el trabajo de Ramiro y solicitar su pronta liberación y desistimiento de los cargos que le imputan.
Atentamente
Consejo Directivo
Grupo Mesófilo A.C.
Thank you for publishing this update. I worked with Ramiro in Oaxaca and the US on bird research projects, also with Grupo Mesofilo. I know Ram is innocent of the charges, and it is deeply frustrating to know that he still waits in jail.
As friends and colleagues of Ram here in the US, we too have started a fund for his family. Checks can be made out to “Ramiro Aragon Perez Fund” and sent to Bank of Petaluma, PO Box 100, Point Reyes Station, CA 94956. We have received a great deal of donations from fellow bilogists and friends, and recentl staged a benefit in Fairfax, CA which earned even more.
Ramiro en el 1 de Octubre. Another benfit will take place Berkeley, CA, 19 Octubre at La Pena Centro de Cultura.
Que liberan a Ramiro!
While attempting to find a good local bird guide for Oaxacan state, I came across praises for Ramiro. After googling his name, I discovered the history of his arrest, torture and imprisonment. However, I cannot find any updates as to his well-being after the numerous 2006 postings. Could someone please email me as to his (hopefully healthy and stable) status? Thanks in advance.