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Advocacy group says journalist slain in Mexico City had signs of torture

Associated Press
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In this June 26, 2015 photo, Mexican photojournalist Ruben Espinosa speaks during an interview in Mexico City. Espinosa had recently gone into self-exile from the Gulf coast state of Veracruz, where he felt under threat, according to Proceso magazine. His family had lost contact with him on Friday and by Saturday the free speech advocacy group Article 19 had called on Mexican authorities to activate the protocols for locating a missing journalist. Espinosa was found slain, along with four other people early Saturday in an apartment in Mexico City, according to the magazine. (AP Photo/Luis Barron) (The Associated Press)

Journalists hold a late night vigil to protest against the latest murder of a fellow journalist in Veracruz, Mexico, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. A photographer for the Mexican investigative magazine Proceso, who had fled his home state after being harassed, was among five people found slain early Saturday in an apartment in Mexico City, according to the magazine. The body of Ruben Espinosa, who collaborated with Proceso and other media, was identified by a family member at the morgue Saturday afternoon, Proceso reported, adding that he had two gunshot wounds .Sign in the front says: "Photojournalist murdered for denouncing (Veracruz state governor Javier) Duarte". (AP Photo/Felix Marquez) (The Associated Press)

Journalists hold a late night vigil to protest against the latest murder of a fellow journalist in Veracruz, Mexico, Saturday Aug. 1, 2015. A photographer for the Mexican investigative magazine Proceso, who had fled his home state after being harassed, was among five people found slain early Saturday in an apartment in Mexico City, according to the magazine. The body of Ruben Espinosa, who collaborated with Proceso and other media, was identified by a family member at the morgue Saturday afternoon, Proceso reported, adding that he had two gunshot wounds. (AP Photo/Felix Marquez) (The Associated Press)

A group advocating for journalistic freedom says a photographer who was found slain in Mexico City had been tortured before his death.

The organization known as Article 19 says Ruben Espinosa sustained severe injuries to his face and was shot twice.

Espinosa was found dead late Friday along with four women. The head of Article 19, Dario Ramirez, says the women also were tortured and showed signs of sexual assault.

Espinosa worked for the investigative magazine, Proceso, and other media. He had fled to the capital in June after being harassed in his home state of Veracruz.

Espinosa's killing has raised tension among reporters who long have considered the city to be a refuge from media intimidation and violence elsewhere in Mexico.