Mexico, France in diplomatic flap over convicted kidnapper

 

 

Mexico and France have had a sharp-worded exchange in recent days over the kidnapping conviction of a French national in Mexico City. The dispute is escalating into a serious diplomatic row, as each country summoned the other's ambassador and the government of France is threatening to raise the issue at the upcoming G-20 ministerial summit in Paris (link in Spanish).

The French national, Florence Cassez, was arrested in 2006 and convicted on kidnapping charges. Late last week a Mexican court upheld a 60-year prison term as punishment. The French government lashed out, suggesting that Mexico's judicial system is too flawed to offer a fair trial. French Foreign Minister Michele Alliot-Marie chose somewhat undiplomatic language to decry the court's ruling as "deplorable" and "unjust."

Mexico shot back, defending the prosecution of Cassez as having been carried out to the letter of the law. The Mexican Foreign Ministry said it "profoundly regrets" Alliot-Marie's suggestion that bilateral relations between the two nations would be harmed.

None other than French President Nicolas Sarkozy asked for Cassez's release during a state visit in 2009. Under existing treaties, Cassez could in theory be sent to France to serve her sentence there. But Mexico has refused, suspicious that French authorities would commute the woman's sentence. 

Cassez, now 36, has maintained her innocence (link in French). Her one-time boyfriend, a Mexican national, has confessed to kidnapping at least three people.

-- Tracy Wilkinson in Mexico City

Photo: Florence Cassez in Mexican custody in this undated photo. Credit: El Universal / archive.

 

 

Comments

[David Lnz]

Mexican Judicial system is broken. There isn't habaeus corpus, civil rights among others. The only think that Mexican government knows is to take bribes and are fully corrupted to the highest possible level. It deprives individuals, especially foreigners, from protection. It incriminates them as well just for the "legal enforcers (police and government officials)" to get money from them. Mexico is broken and is been considered a narco state as well as terrorist state. Majority of Mexicans individuals prefer to pay taxes to "organized crime" rather than calling on authorities. The reason is that the Mexicans authorities are far more corrupted than organized crime. France and other 1st world countries should break diplomatic ties, stop foreign aid to Mexico, implement sanctions and open a "human rights" tribunal for those in power and those being sheeps in violating human rights.

[Gem]

France should have considered "La Mordida" and maybe Cassez would be free today! Mexico's judicial system is not flawed - it's CORRUPT!!!

[messicans es muy stupido]

oh great, my two favorite countries.. why cant they just drop the bomb on each other?

[Felmmando]

The note leaves out some of the most significant facts about the case. The footage of Cassez's capture in the kidnappers' den was later shown to have been staged. Her boyfriend, the ringleader, has said she was ignorant of his criminal activity. The kidnapping victims were blindfolded and were able to ID her only on the basis of her voice. It's possible but hardly certain beyond a reasonable doubt that Cassez is guilty.

[Ivan12]

Mexico is a failed state, not worthy of being a part of the civilized rule of law nations.

Peter in Pasadena CA