((((brenda before))))-
brenda now>
Harper calls Mexican president to discuss case of jailed Brenda Martin
17 hours ago
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made a personal
intervention on behalf of a suicidally depressed woman locked up
17 hours ago
OTTAWA — Prime Minister Stephen Harper has made a personal
intervention on behalf of a suicidally depressed woman locked up
in a Mexican prison.
The prime minister called his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon
The prime minister called his Mexican counterpart Felipe Calderon
to discuss the case of Brenda Martin. He informed the Mexican
president
that he will send his minister responsible for multiculturalism,
Jason Kenney, to visit the Ontario woman in a Guadalajara prison.
Kenney and Ontario MP Rick Norlock will be the first members of the
Harper government to meet with Martin. Former prime minister
Paul Martin and Liberal MP Dan McTeague have already visited her.
"They intend to check up on her health, let her know that officials at the
highest level are focused on her case, and ensure that any immediate
needs are being taken care of," said one government source.
"They also intend to continue the process of raising her case with
Mexican officials to underscore how serious Canada takes it."
Kenney is expected to leave for a two-day visit to Mexico on
Tuesday, a government source told The Canadian Press.
A spokesman for Harper refused to discuss the prime minister's
that he will send his minister responsible for multiculturalism,
Jason Kenney, to visit the Ontario woman in a Guadalajara prison.
Kenney and Ontario MP Rick Norlock will be the first members of the
Harper government to meet with Martin. Former prime minister
Paul Martin and Liberal MP Dan McTeague have already visited her.
"They intend to check up on her health, let her know that officials at the
highest level are focused on her case, and ensure that any immediate
needs are being taken care of," said one government source.
"They also intend to continue the process of raising her case with
Mexican officials to underscore how serious Canada takes it."
Kenney is expected to leave for a two-day visit to Mexico on
Tuesday, a government source told The Canadian Press.
A spokesman for Harper refused to discuss the prime minister's
phone call with Calderon, although he did not deny that the
conversation took place.
"In two years we have had over 100 contacts with Ms. Martin and
continue to raise her case up to and including the president of
"In two years we have had over 100 contacts with Ms. Martin and
continue to raise her case up to and including the president of
Mexico," said Harper spokesman Dimitri Soudas.
He noted that Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier also
He noted that Foreign Affairs Minister Maxime Bernier also
discussed the case Monday with his Mexican counterpart during
a trip to Washington.
Bernier said he received assurances that Martin's lawyers will be
able to talk with the country's deputy attorney general.
Mexican officials, meantime, said the case "is to be concluded
shortly," according to official reports.
Martin has been in prison for more than two years without a trial
Bernier said he received assurances that Martin's lawyers will be
able to talk with the country's deputy attorney general.
Mexican officials, meantime, said the case "is to be concluded
shortly," according to official reports.
Martin has been in prison for more than two years without a trial
on allegations involving a massive investment scam, says she's
innocent and has threatened to kill herself if she's not released.
But Mexico is blaming Martin's own lawyers for her lengthy stay,
But Mexico is blaming Martin's own lawyers for her lengthy stay,
saying they didn't separate her case from others accused of fraud
despite having the legal ability to do it.
"In not doing so, she remained linked to them and included in the
global file comprising 25,000 pages," said the embassy statement.
It noted Martin was working illegally in Mexico when she was
"In not doing so, she remained linked to them and included in the
global file comprising 25,000 pages," said the embassy statement.
It noted Martin was working illegally in Mexico when she was
arrested but was never charged for that.
Martin, 51, denies any involvement in a $60-million pyramid
investment scheme that scammed about 15,000 people in dozens
Martin, 51, denies any involvement in a $60-million pyramid
investment scheme that scammed about 15,000 people in dozens
of countries.
Her former boss Alyn Waage, who was convicted in the case, also
says Martin wasn't involved.
She was employed as a chef for Waage in Puerto Vallarta for 10
months in 2001. Waage was operating the Internet fraud scheme at
the time.
Martin wasn't charged until five years after the arrest of Waage,
who has provided a sworn affidavit saying she didn't know anything
about what he was doing.
She is facing counts of money laundering and being part of a
criminal conspiracy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Updated Mon. Mar. 17 2008 9:46 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Conservative MP Jason Kenney is going to Mexico on Tuesday to
Her former boss Alyn Waage, who was convicted in the case, also
says Martin wasn't involved.
She was employed as a chef for Waage in Puerto Vallarta for 10
months in 2001. Waage was operating the Internet fraud scheme at
the time.
Martin wasn't charged until five years after the arrest of Waage,
who has provided a sworn affidavit saying she didn't know anything
about what he was doing.
She is facing counts of money laundering and being part of a
criminal conspiracy.
xxxxxxxxxxxxxxx
Updated Mon. Mar. 17 2008 9:46 PM ET
CTV.ca News Staff
Conservative MP Jason Kenney is going to Mexico on Tuesday to
meet with government officials and ask for the release of imprisoned
Canadian Brenda Martin, CTV News has learned.
Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian
Kenney, the Secretary of State for Multiculturalism and Canadian
Identity, hopes to follow up on Wednesday with a visit to Martin,
who is on suicide watch.
"Brenda Martin supporters to rally on Parliament Hill"
Posted By MacDonald, Valerie
Posted 7 hours ago
The Save Brenda Fund is organizing a public rally in Ottawa to
"Brenda Martin supporters to rally on Parliament Hill"
Posted By MacDonald, Valerie
Posted 7 hours ago
The Save Brenda Fund is organizing a public rally in Ottawa to
raise public awareness of the plight of jailed Canadian
Brenda Martin.
Ms. Martin, 51, has been held in a Mexican jail for more than
Ms. Martin, 51, has been held in a Mexican jail for more than
two years, charged
with money laundering and being part of a criminal organization.
She has not been tried and convicted.
A recent constitutional challenge launched by Ms. Martin's
lawyer, Guillermo Cruz Rico, claiming her rights had been
with money laundering and being part of a criminal organization.
She has not been tried and convicted.
A recent constitutional challenge launched by Ms. Martin's
lawyer, Guillermo Cruz Rico, claiming her rights had been
denied, was unsuccessful.
Hundreds have already confirmed their attendance at the 2 p.m.
Hundreds have already confirmed their attendance at the 2 p.m.
event scheduled for Parliament Hill on March 29, says co-organizer
Peter Cleary, a former Cobourg resident. Smaller rallies are being
organized in London, Toronto and Halifax, he added.
Peter Cleary, a former Cobourg resident. Smaller rallies are being
organized in London, Toronto and Halifax, he added.
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