Mexican soldiers shoot dead 12 alleged criminals

[FarCenter]

AFP - Mexican soldiers shot dead 12 alleged criminals who refused to stop at a military checkpoint in the troubled eastern state of Veracruz, state officials said.

The gun battle broke out around 2 pm (1900 GMT) near a military checkpoint outside Xalapapa, the capital of Veracruz state, located some 430 kilometers (270 miles) east of Mexico City.

The alleged criminals were traveling aboard several vehicles. When the soldiers ordered them to halt, they continued to drive and opened fire, according to a statement from the Veracruz prosecutor's office.

The soldiers fired back "and shot down the 12 alleged criminals," the statement read.

http://www.france24.com/en/20120530-mexican-soldiers-shoot-dead-12-alleged-criminals