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 News Around the Republic of Mexico | March 2008 
Brenda Martin Loses Mexican Court Decision
 The Canadian Press
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| | A bid to dismiss money laundering charges against Brenda Martin was denied Monday. | | |
Toronto — A bid to dismiss money laundering charges against a Canadian woman who has spent the past two years in a Mexican prison was denied Monday, her lawyer said.
Guillermo Cruz said Ontario native Brenda Martin now faces more time in custody before proceeding with a criminal trial or appealing the ruling handed down in a Mexican federal court.
Mr. Cruz had sought to have the charges thrown out on the grounds that Ms. Martin's human rights were violated when she was denied access to an interpreter during interrogation by Mexican police.
"I was completely surprised," Mr. Cruz said of the ruling in an interview. "We found several flaws in this procedure. Until I have the opportunity to read and to have that decision in my hands, I won't know why the court decided to dismiss our claim."
Mr. Cruz said the decision is likely to be a devastating blow for Ms. Martin, who was recently placed on suicide watch and is currently under 24-hour guard at a prison hospital facility.
"She's in pretty bad shape, and I don't think that this was going to help her condition," he said.
If Ms. Martin is convicted of the charges against her, which include money laundering and being part of a criminal conspiracy, Mr. Cruz said she could face 15 more years in a Mexican prison.
Ms. Martin has consistently maintained that she had no involvement in a multimillion-dollar Internet fraud scheme perpetrated by her former boss, Alberta native Alyn Waage.
Mr. Waage, who is currently serving a 10-year sentence in a U.S. prison, has corroborated Ms. Martin's claims of innocence in a sworn affidavit.
Debra Tieleman, Ms. Martin's childhood friend, said she is "incredulous" at the latest decision and greatly concerned for Ms. Martin's physical and emotional well-being.
She heaped criticism on the Canadian government and on Helena Guergis, secretary of state for Foreign Affairs, whom she accused of failing to take Ms. Martin's case seriously.
"Where has Canada been in this case? They (Mexican authorities) are railroading a Canadian citizen, and the Canadian government is standing by and watching them do it," she said.
When asked about Martin's situation after Monday's question period, Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier said it was an important case with which he was "personally engaged."
"I hope that her health and condition . . . will be better and I hope that we'll have a positive answer on that case as soon as possible," he said.
He said Ms. Martin's file has been accorded the same treatment as other consular cases and that Canadian officials have had discussions with Mexican authorities. |
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