León court upholds acquittal of 16 in Pozo Emilio mining deaths

The Provincial Court of León has upheld the acquittal of 16 defendants accused in connection with the deaths of six miners at the Pozo Emilio mine in Valle, León. The tragedy occurred on October 28, 2013, when a methane gas leak on the seventh level of the mine caused the immediate death of six workers by asphyxiation.

The court rejected an appeal filed by the Prosecutor's Office, maintaining a previous ruling that acquitted the defendants of homicide, serious injury, and crimes against workers' rights. Among those acquitted were former company president Antonio del Valle, former vice president Arturo del Valle, and various directors and safety supervisors.

While the prosecution argued that the accident was preventable and resulted from failures to comply with risk prevention regulations, the court maintained the decision to acquit. The prosecution had sought prison sentences of three and a half years, while private accusations had requested up to six and a half years.