Confusion over release of kidnapped Mexican politician (Roundup)

Nov 27, 2010, 19:55 GMT

Mexico City - Reports of the freeing of a former presidential candidate kidnapped six months ago caused confusion in Mexico on Saturday.

The family of Diego Fernandez de Cevallos told the newspaper El Universal they had paid a large ransom, the paper reported Saturday on its website.

The former senator and influential politician and lawyer was safe at home. 'Everything's good, he's well and everything went well,' a family member had said.

But according to Francisco Dominguez, the mayor of Queretaro, where Fernandez de Cevallos was kidnapped, the report was pure speculation.

According to a local radio station, the negotiators had also denied reports that he had been freed.

The family had said in October that Fernandez de Cevallos would be freed in November in exchange for a ransom of 20 million dollars.

The politician, of the ruling National Action Party, was kidnapped on May 14 on his ranch in the state of Queretaro around 200 kilometres north of Mexico City. Since then his kidnappers have published several photographs of him to prove that he was still alive.

Fernandez de Cevallos is a controversial figure in Mexico. As a trial attorney, he has often taken on the interests of the state, and he has been accused of using his influence to favour his clients.

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