Mexico’s prosecutor seeks to file charges against owner of injured mine

(CNN) — The Attorney General of the Republic of Mexico (FGR) requested a judicial hearing to charge the alleged owner of the El Pinabete mine, where 10 miners were trapped earlier this month.

According to a statement issued this Thursday by the FGR, the alleged owner, named Cristian “S”, is accused of having been involved “in the illegal exploitation of the subsoil” and being “in breach of the obligations imposed by law on those who carry out such activities”.

“These facts, in the opinion of the Public Ministry, constitute the crime of illegal exploitation of the Nation’s assets, provided for and sanctioned in article 150 of the National Assets Law, in the case of a crime of permanent and intentional action, in the terms indicated in the Federal Penal Code,” said the FGR statement.

He added that the investigation continues and that the actions of the Public Ministry “will be informed immediately, according to the evidence obtained, for the crimes that can be verified.”

Hundreds of soldiers and other rescuers take part in the efforts to save the miners. (PEDRO PARDO/AFP via Getty Images)

As part of the investigation, documents from local and federal authorities and the “ministerial statement” of the accused have been presented as evidence, along with documentation and proceedings pertinent to the case.

CNN has contacted the company, Minera El Pinabete, but has not yet received an official response.

Ten miners were trapped at the El Pinabete coal mine in the city of Coahuila earlier this month after finding an abandoned tunnel with water that flooded the mine, according to Mexican authorities.

Attempts to free them Thursday night failed after the rescue team and a diver encountered obstacles, according to Luis Cresencio Sandoval, Mexico’s Minister of National Defense.