Prosecutor gunned down in Honduras

Tegucigalpa, Sep 25 (IANS/EFE) A prosecutor assigned to the human rights unit was gunned down Monday in the southern Honduran province of Choluteca, an official spokesperson said. The official was hit by 11 bullets.

The incident occurred just a few meters from the prosecutor's office in Choluteca, where Manuel Diaz "was hit by at least 11 bullets", the spokesperson said.

"We have no idea who killed him, we only know that there were two individuals on a motorcycle," he said.

Honduras' assistant attorney general, Roy Urtecho, condemned the slaying of the prosecutor and requested a life sentence for murderers of lawyers and journalists.

"I condemn these murderers who are really cutting short the lives" of attorneys, said Urtecho, who is also president of the Honduran bar association.

In 2011 there were 86.5 homicides for every 100,000 inhabitants, according to figures of the state Human Rights Commission, making this country one of the most violent in the Americas.

--IANS/EFE

rd