Kidnappers free top Mexican politician: Report

MEXICO CITY - A former Mexican presidential candidate kidnapped half a year ago has been freed, the El Universal newspaper reported Saturday on its website.

The family of Diego Fernandez de Cevallos had paid a large ransom, they told the paper.

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

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 said.

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

The politician, of the ruling National Action Party, was kidnapped May 14 on his ranch in the state of Queretaro, around 200 km 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.