The COVID-19 outbreak in Spain delays the extradition of Emilio Lozoya and Alonso Ancira

The C OVID-19 pandemic is not only affecting Spain ’s economy and society, but it is also having an effect on the extradition process of two Mexicans detained in the European country. Now that Spain’s Judiciary has halted all its processes, the extradition processes against former Pemex director Emilio Lozoya and businessman Alonso Ancira , have been delayed.

Emilio Lozoya

, who is imprisoned in Madrid, was arrested in Málaga on February 12. In Mexico, he is accused of serious crimes such as taking million in bribes from Odebrecht , fraud , and money laundering . He has been linked to Alonso Ancira and also refuses to be extradited to Mexico.

After Mexican authorities officially requested his extradition from Spain, the months-long process is now delayed because of the crisis caused by COVID-19 .

Manuel Olié

, Ancira’s lawyer , told EL UNIVERSAL that his client’s “extradition request has been suspended, as agreed by the General Council of Justice in relation to all the judiciary processes that weren’t urgent.”

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Sources from inside Spain’s judiciary explain that the National Audience is not moving forward with any extradition request because they are currently handling only priority cases during the health emergency .

After his last testimony, Alonso Ancira is now hoping that Spanish authorities reject Mexico’s extradition request. The businessman is accused of money laundering , bribery , and fraud .

Ancira was released on bail , claims to be innocent, and considers himself as a victim of political persecution . He has said Mexico is a lawless country and that therefore, he doesn’t have any guarantees. These are some of the arguments used by Ancira after he was arrested by Spanish authorities in Palma de Mallorca in May 2019, after Mexico issued an arrest warrant.

Spain’s Council of Ministers will decide whether or not Lozoya and Ancira are extradited back to Mexico once the country overcomes the coronavirus pandemic .

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