Politics Enables Mexican Fugitive to Defang a Law

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Source: The New York Times

MEXICO CITY — Despite being a federal fugitive, accused of laundering millions of dollars for one of Mexico’s most ruthless drug cartels, Julio César Godoy says he simply walked into the national legislature here unnoticed in September, right past the cordon of federal police officers watching the building.

He then raised his right arm, swore allegiance to the Mexican Constitution and finally claimed the congressional seat he had won 15 months before disappearing from public view.

It was too late for prosecutors to do much about it. Mr. Godoy’s newly conferred status came with a special perk: immunity from prosecution.

Now, a political saga that underscores the persistent fears of political infiltration by drug cartels and the many frustrations of rooting it out continues to swirl around him.

(snip)

On Tuesday night, Mexico’s lower house of Congress voted overwhelmingly to strip Mr. Godoy of his immunity and legislative duties, a development that could lead to his eventual arrest and trial — if he can be found.

Read more: http://www.nytimes.com/2010/12/15/world/americas/15mexico.html

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Good. Politicians should be accountable to the people and not feel so damn special all the time even evading the law. Oh yeah, when will the Times ever publish an article about what's enabling the Bush war crime gang not to go to the Hague?