Ernesto Zedillo, a former president of Mexico, was sued over a massacre at an Indian village in 1997. Photo © Michael Wuertenberg / World Economic Forum / Flickr

The U.S. Supreme Court on Monday turned down a case filed by survivors of a massacre at an Indian village in Mexico.

Ten survivors sued Ernesto Zedillo for $50 million, blaming the former president of Mexico for the Acteal massacre of December 22, 1997. The 2nd Circuit of Appeals, however, said he is entitled to sovereign immunity as a former head of state.

The plaintiffs asked the Supreme Court to review the case. Without comment, the justices issued an order declining to hear it.

Some 45 people, including pregnant women and children, were killed in the massacre. It occurred at a church where people had gathered to support the Zapatista indigenous rights movement.

Zedillo was sued in federal court in Connecticut because he is a professor at Yale University. Connecticut is part of the 2nd Circuit.

Get the Story:
Court won’t hear Zedillo-Mexican massacre case (AP 10/6)

2nd Circuit Decision:
Doe v. Zedillo (February 28, 2014)

Related Stories:
2nd Circuit won't allow lawsuit over massacre at Indian village (02/21)
Suit for Indian massacre in Mexico dismissed over immunity (7/23)