Updated

The Mexican Attorney General's Office has named a new head of its division for Crimes Against Freedom of Expression, a post tasked with investigating the killings of journalists in one of the world's most dangerous countries for media professionals.

A statement says Ricardo Sanchez Perez del Pozo will lead the division known as Feadle, for its initials in Spanish. He replaces Ricardo Najera.

It says Sanchez is a lawyer with graduate studies in international law and human rights from Northwestern University in Illinois. He has previously held positions related to human rights in the Attorney General's Office and Mexico's Interior Department.

Wednesday's statement said Sanchez will "review each case currently under investigation" and coordinate with civil society groups, journalists' organizations and all levels of government.