Mexican Woman Freed After 12 Years in Jail Without Conviction

Samira Asma-Sadeque
·2 min read
5

Casales’ brother Erick Razo Casales was also arrested, NBC News reported citing officials. Erick was released in 2022, per the outlet

<p>Change.org</p> Verónica Razo Casales

Change.org

Verónica Razo Casales

A Mexican woman has been freed after spending 12 years in jail without a conviction on kidnapping accusations, according to several news reports.

Verónica Razo Casales was arrested in 2011 and charges against her were withdrawn last week, according to NBC News, El Universal and Mexican investigative magazine Contralinea.

Casales was detained by plainclothesmen, who allegedly did not present any identification or court orders, as she was walking near her home with her mother and two children in Mexico City, according to El Universal.

She was accused of being a member of a network of kidnappers, El Universal and Contralinea reported.

Casales has claimed authorities sexually abused and tortured her with electric shocks within hours of her arrest, NBC News and Telemundo reported — an allegation that was also documented in a U.N. report by the Working Group on the Arbitrary Detention.

"I was tortured, sexually abused and, when I got to prison, I couldn't see my family because they canceled visits for the first three months,” Casales told Telemundo. “That's why I sank into a very, very strong depression.”

Casales, who was 32 at the time of her arrest, pointed out the years she lost while in captivity, the outlet reported. She is now 45.

“My dreams turned to dust,” she said, according to the outlet.

<p>Federal Institute of Public Defender Services</p> Verónica Razo Casales (R), Erick Razo Casales (L), and their mother, Austreberta Casales

Federal Institute of Public Defender Services

Verónica Razo Casales (R), Erick Razo Casales (L), and their mother, Austreberta Casales

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In addition to the alleged sexual abuse, authorities “tried to suffocate her with a bag,” the 2021 U.N. report reads in part.

“They hit her in the stomach and buttocks and constantly insulted her with the in order to break her will, humiliate her,” an excerpt from the report reads.

Casales’ brother Erick Razo Casales was also arrested, NBC News reported citing officials. Erick was released in 2022, per the outlet.

"My life was torn apart, and my dreams were destroyed," Verónica said.

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