Judge issues injunction, halts move to arrest former Pemex CEO

A federal judge has granted an injunction to former Pemex CEO Emilio Lozoya Austin, definitively suspending an arrest warrant issued for him.

Judge Luz María Ortega Tlapa ruled Wednesday that the crimes of which Lozoya is accused do not merit preventative incarceration, and that the former CEO may remain free until his trial ends.

Ortega also granted injunctions to members of Lozoya’s family, protecting them against any arrest warrants that may be issued relating to the case.

The warrant for Lozoya had been issued by another judge on May 26 in connection with Pemex’s 2014 purchase of a fertilizer plant from steelmaker Altos Hornos de México.

Ortega’s ruling does not protect Lozoya from arrest for other possible crimes.

Alonso Alcira, owner and president of Altos Hornos, was arrested on May 28 in Mallorca, Spain, and faces extradition to Mexico for charges relating to the fertilizer plant.

Pemex paid Altos Hornos US $475 million for the plant in 2014 as part of a strategy to promote domestic fertilizer production and reduce dependence on imports. But according to an investigation by the current government, the plant was worth no more than $50 million.

Bank accounts belonging to Lozoya and his family remain frozen, and Lozoya has been barred from holding public office for 10 years for failing to fully disclose information about his assets.

Source: El Financiero (sp), Milenio (sp)

Have something to say? Paid Subscribers get all access to make & read comments.
Chief Justice

A year in, Mexico’s newly constituted Supreme Court stresses autonomy, austerity and proximity to the people

0
Chief Justice Hugo Aguilar Ortiz presented the new Court’s first annual report at a special event attended by the president, in which he stressed that Mexico is undergoing a transformation in how it administers justice.
two Vizsla Mine abdection suspects

2 new suspects arrested in the January 23 mass abduction/murder of Sinaloa mine workers

0
In what may have been a case of mistaken identity, an armed group descended on the mine workers' camp on January 23, abducting 10 employees. Hope for their safe return faded as first five of their bodies were found, and then four more.
Finance Minister Edgar Amador presenting the proposed 2027 budget to Senate Leader Higinio Martínez Miranda

Finance Ministry proposes 10.6-trillion-peso budget for 2027 with boosts to health, security and education

4
The budget nearly doubles funding for the National Electoral Institute while sharply cutting support for Pemex and the Energy Ministry. Read on for a full breakdown of where Mexico's Finance Ministry intends to spend and earn money in 2027.
BETA Version - Powered by Perplexity