Mexican Author's Book on Pedophilia Strikes Governor's Nerve

Lydia Cacho, journalist and author of Demons of Eden, an unnerving "tell-all" book about a network of pedophiles, has apparently hit main nerves and created a scandal within the Mexican State of Puebla. Several businessmen reside there who were mentioned in the book, including the man which allegations of rape and child pornography have been raised. Succar, 61, a Lebanese national who is a legal U.S. resident and owns three homes in Southern California, probably stands to lose much in the course of this case.

Since publishing the book about the stories she had been told by tearful teenage girls claiming they had been sexually assaulted for years, Cacho has been arrested and charged with libel. Puebla detectives arrested her in her home near Cancun, and delivered her 930 miles (1,500 kilometers) to authorities in Puebla, located in central Mexico. During the 20-hour ride, she said, police officers tormented her by hinting of a plan to rape and kill her. She was released from Pueblan authorities only after having $7000.00 posted as her bail.

The case was heard by Judge Lorenzo Medina, who ruled that libel is not listed as a crime in Mexico City, which happens to be the original location for the book's publication. Judge Medina dismissed the charges, court spokesman Rafael Gonzalez reported.

Cacho was most likely a happy woman when the charges were dismissed, since under Mexico's antiquated libel laws, truth is not a defense because journalists must also prove they did not intend to damage the image of their subject. Conviction of this crime can result in a prison sentence and hefty fines.

After the release of audiotapes, apparently revealing a plan by the Pueblan Governor Mario Marin and one of the businessmen mentioned in the book to have Cacho jailed, the case became known nation wide.

Cacho has accused Governor Mario Marin and other heavy political icons of attempted rape, influence pressure, violating her human rights, and abuse of power. Even more outrageous is the fact that the only body of authority with the power to remove Governor Mario Marin from office is in the hands of his own cronies, the State of Puebla's Legislature, allies to the Governor.

The Supreme Court of Mexico has since ruled that a change of venue for the case was in order, and has moved the hearing of the case to the capital.

Associated Press Report, "Judge Throws Out Libel Charges Against Mexican Journalist Who Wrote Book on Pedophilia," Bahia de Banderas News. URL: http://www.banderasnews.com/0701/entbk-lydiacacho.htm