Former Mexican Senator freed after being kidnapped for several months

[News_Editor]

Former Mexican Senator freed after being kidnapped for several months

2010-12-21 07:16:11 GMT+7 (ICT)

MEXICO CITY (BNO NEWS) -- Former Mexican Senator Diego Fernandez de Cevallos was freed on Monday after being kidnapped for several months in central Mexico,.

Fernandez de Cevallos, 68, also known as "El Jefe Diego" (Diego the boss), was held captive for seven months and seven days in an undisclosed location. He was abducted on May 14 from his ranch "La Cabaña" in Queretaro State, in central Mexico.

Journalist and close friend Joaquín López-Dóriga from Televisa network said he spoke with Fernandez de Cevallos and confirmed the news of his release. Another Mexican journalist, Jose Cardenas, also said he spoke to the former presidential candidate.

Dóriga assured that Fernandez de Cevallos was in good spirits and an overall good health, although he had been weakened. The initial reporting on his kidnapping in May had been low, as Mexican media organization had agreed to this in order to help liberation efforts.

Later on Monday, Fernandez de Cevallos appeared in front of his Mexico City residence and thanked the media for its restraint and the audience for their prayers. He denied giving information about how he was granted his freedom, the identity of his abductors or if a ransom was paid. He only added that he expects to continue forward with his life.

In mid-October, family members of Fernandez de Cevallos reportedly paid the kidnappers a $20 million ransom, expecting him to be freed during the first week of November. However, no further news has been released regarding this.

Since the capture of the former leader of the ruling-PAN party, the kidnappers have made their requests public through social networking websites on three different occasions: six days after the kidnapping on May 20, on July 26, and on September 13, which was the last public statement issued by the kidnappers.

On the first occasion, a photograph of Fernandez de Cevallos was uploaded to the Internet where he was seen shirtless, blindfolded, and holding a sign that showed a handwritten date: May 16. Following the release of the photograph, the family lawyer requested federal authorities to halt investigations in order to facilitate negotiations.

No further news was heard until another photograph was released on July 26, which was addressed to Fernandez de Cevallos' son. Later, on September 13, again using social networking sites, a statement was released on behalf of the captors saying that his family had abandoned him, his friends had forgotten him, and that no one cared about his fate.

The reason of the kidnapping is still uncertain, although some analysts claim former guerrilla members could be behind the situation, as well as police or former police officers.

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