A teacher at Mexico City's Institute of Upper Secondary Education took his own life after a student accused him of alleged sexual harassment. Capital authorities are investigating the case.
Professor Alberto Israel Jasso Cruz, about 45 years old and with 25 years of service at the Carmen Cerdán campus of IEMS, was found dead at his home on July 21. Before his death he recorded a video denying the accusations of six instances of touching and described the situation as a protest against an injustice.
Students and family members defended his record during the funeral at Panteón San Miguel Tecopoluán. Several alumnae stated they never observed inappropriate conduct and highlighted the support they received from the teacher in the subject of Planning and Organization of Study.
The Union of Workers of the Institute of Upper Secondary Education called for an investigation with due process. The Mexico City Attorney General’s Office said it is gathering information on the complaint. IEMS requested respect for human rights and warned against the spread of personal data.
Some students announced an event next Monday outside the campus in Miguel Hidalgo borough to vindicate the professor’s name.