Anarchist 18-year-old in Ixtapa lit on fire by comrades in act of civil disobedience [video-warning: graphic]

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Agustin Gómez Pérez, 18, was lit on fire by comrades in an act of civil disobedience against the Congress of Chiapas, which, the anarchist group Frente Ricardo Flores Magon alleged, was responsible for the arrest of a comrade in May. The group is demanding the release of their comrade, one Florentino Gómez Girón, an indigenous leader who was arrested on cattle theft and robbery charges.

Demanding Florentino’s release, Perez lay motionless as his comrades doused him in flammable liquid and lit him on fire.

Perez stood up and ran burning, flailing his arms for approximately 20 seconds before being extinguished. He was taken to hospital and is being treated for third-degree burns. His situation is critical.

It was reported that the accusation against Florentino was made by Aquiles Espinosa of the political party Partido Revolucionario Institucional (PRI) as part of a campaign to intimidate dissent in the Ixtapa region before the 2015 elections.

Members of the Ixtapa anarchist organization Frente Ricardo Flores Magon had been protesting for nearly a month in front of Congress in the city of Tuxtla Gutiérrez for the release of their comrade.

The group also conducted an act of civil disobedience Dec. 2 when they sewed their lips shut and performed a symbolic crucifixion.

The group has so far procured a promise from the state government that Florentino’s case would be reviewed.

After the burning of Perez, the anarchist organization stated that if Florentino was not released, three more people would be lit on fire, including two indigenous women.

(Warning: this video is extremely graphic and The Speaker does not wish you to watch this if you are sensitive to depictions of human suffering. This video may be very emotional and effecting.)

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