A few hours after being acquitted by the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation (SCJN), Alejandra Cuevas was released and left the women’s prison of Santa Martha Acatitla, in eastern Mexico City.
Cuevas remained in detention for more than 500 days, accused by the Attorney General of the Republic, Alejandro Gertz, of the death of her brother Federico.
On Monday, however, the SCJN decided to grant a plain and simple amparo to both her and her mother, Laura Morán – who was Federico Gertz’s partner and was also accused – with which they were acquitted. With that ruling, the SCJN ordered his immediate release.
Cuevas left the prison around 3:40 p.m. On the way out, she was found by her lawyers. He read a letter and then withdrew.
Outside Santa Martha, he told the media that he fears reprisals from the prosecutor, so he will ask for a meeting with President Andrés Manuel López Obrador to request protection.
“Thanks to the media present and civil society, who without knowing me have supported me and my children. I am certain that without you the Attorney General of the Republic, Alejandro Gertz Manero, would have buried me forever in prison with a crime that he fabricated, causing irreparable damage to my family and my life,” he said.
“I thank the Judiciary that at the end of the tunnel has looked after our interests, our rights, rather. I do not extend this gratitude to the Judicial Branch of Mexico City, but I do to the Judicial Branch of the Federation. To each and every one of the ministers of the Supreme Court of Justice of the Nation and of course to the presidency of the Court,” he said.
Cuevas said that now, along with her children, a foundation will seek to help other imprisoned women, as she believes they are “abandoned” by society and by public defenders.
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