Mexican appeal for Frenchwoman in kidnap

MEXICO CITY, Aug. 31 (UPI) -- Attorneys for a Frenchwoman sentenced to prison in Mexico on kidnapping charges say they have filed an appeal on constitutional grounds.

Florenz Cassez was arrested in 2005 at the home of her then-boyfriend, alleged Mexican gang head Israel Vallarta, where police discovered several kidnap victims being held for ransom, Radio France Internationale reported.

Vallarta has admitted to the kidnappings but has maintained the innocence of Cassez, who says she was made a scapegoat by Mexican law enforcement to highlight their actions on the kidnappings that plague Mexico, RFI said.

The arrest of Cassez was reportedly broadcast live on Mexican television although police later said that it had been reconstructed for the media.

Cassez's lawyers said her arrest was staged for the media, undermining the whole case.

"We're filled with hope that Mexico's Supreme Court will take on this constitutional file, which is also a simple story, a story completely set up with the media in mind," said lawyer Frank Berton.

Cassez faces a 60-year sentence for kidnapping.