MEXICO -Mexican police have arrested a man accused of murdering a Roman Catholic priest and human rights campaigner in the southern state of Chiapas. Father Marcelo Pérez was killed on Sunday after celebrating Mass at his church in the city of San Cristóbal de las Casas. Witnesses say the shots came from two men who approached the church on a motorbike. The authorities identified the alleged murderer as Edgar N, a local drug dealer. Father Marcelo had campaigned tirelessly against drug trafficking in Chiapas, which has seen a surge in violence in recent years linked to turf wars between rival cartels. Mexico’s bishops’ conference said the murder had silenced a “prophetic voice”, who had worked tirelessly for peace and justice. According to the Chiapas public prosecutor’s office, his suspected killer had been identified using security camera footage, witness testimony and other leads, AFP news agency reports. (BBC)

Photo: Father Marcelo Pérez. (BBC)