Mexican Judge Grants Conditional Release to Sister of Former Pemex Director

A federal judge in Mexico has granted conditional release to Gilda Lozoya, the sister of former state oil company Petróleos Mexicanos (Pemex) director Emilio Lozoya. Gilda Lozoya faces accusations of operations with illicit resources and alleged participation in the Agronitrogenados corruption case.

Federal Judge Nora Ileana decided against sending Lozoya to prison, citing the Attorney General's Office's (FGR) failure to track her location over the past three years. As part of the conditional release, Lozoya must surrender her passport and appear bi-weekly before the Unit of Cautious Measures to ensure her presence in the ongoing legal process.

She was arrested on July 2 at Mexico City International Airport in connection with the Agronitrogenados case, which dates back to 2014. This case involves Pemex's purchase of a fertilizer plant from Altos Hornos de México (AHMSA) during Emilio Lozoya's tenure. The FGR alleges the transaction was inflated and involved bribery and money laundering.

The FGR also stated that Gilda Lozoya likely acted as a front for a company to conceal corrupt acts and launder illicit funds. President Claudia Sheinbaum noted that the fraud involved the purchase of the fertilizer plant at an overprice exceeding $200 million, with Lozoya's sister linked to monetary deposits and financial schemes. The FGR had an existing arrest warrant for her, which was executed upon her arrival in Mexico.

This judicial decision comes as Emilio Lozoya himself remains under house arrest, facing criminal proceedings for the Agronitrogenados and Odebrecht cases.