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Napoleón Gómez Nearly Home: Mexican Court Voids Warrant

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2 May, 2012

From the International Metalworkers’ Federation

On 24 April, the federal tribunal cancelled the only remaining warrant for the arrest of the leader of the Mexican Miners' Union (SNTMMSRM), Napoleón Gómez Urrutia, regarding US$55 million of union funds.

On Tuesday 24 April, the First Unitary Criminal Court of Mexico City notified the union that the federal justice system had cancelled the preventive measure.

Napoleón Gómez's lawyer, Marco Del Toro, said: "All the arrest warrants issued as part of this unprecedented campaign of political persecution have fallen one by one. We are very happy with today's ruling. It is a lesson to those in Mexico who think they can still conduct this kind of immoral persecution, which is alien to our legal system."

Napoléon Gómez

"Once again, it has been shown that the political persecution against the miners' union and its leader is completely and absolutely illegal. Once again, the truth has been established. Napoleón Gómez Urrutia has never committed any kind of crime," said the union, in a press release.

Andrew Vickers, Chair of the ICEM Mining Sector, described the decision as “further vindication of the magnificent struggle being played out by Napoleón, the USW, and Los Mineros. I find it truly amazing, although not terribly surprising, that governments can impose sanctions on countries and regimes such as Syria, Libya, Zimbabwe, Burma and Fiji, yet with Mexico and the Calderon regime, countries like the US and Australia fete them.”

Gómez Urrutia has been in exile in Canada for six years, during which time he has worked constantly to establish his innocence and provide leadership for the miners' union.