Francisco Garduño, director of Mexico's National Migration Institute (INM).

Mexico City, May 1 (RHC) Judge Víctor Mario Hernández Calderón, after several hours of hearing, determined to try the director of the National Migration Institute (INM), Francisco Garduño, for his alleged responsibility in the death of 40 migrants during the fire at the Ciudad Juárez immigration center, local media report.

The magistrate has determined that the evidence presented shows that Garduño is responsible for omission and, although he ordered preventive detention, he decided to maintain the precautionary measure of periodic signatures every 15 days, which will allow the defendant to continue performing his duties.

The Prosecutor's Office has also decided to criminally proceed against four other employees of the migrant center who were present on the day of the events for conduct that led to the homicides and injuries to the inmates.

The fire at the INM center in Ciudad Juarez on March 27 resulted in the deaths of 40 people. Hours later, Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador blamed the inmates themselves for setting a mattress on fire in protest of possible deportation.

However, images from the complex's security cameras generated even more controversy by revealing how, during the fire, some migrants were locked in cells while INM officials left the center without rescuing them. (Source: Telesur)