Frenchwoman Freed From Mexico Prison After Outcry

A Frenchwoman whose 60-year Mexican prison sentence caused international controversy was released from jail yesterday. Florence Cassez was sentenced in 2005 for her role in a kidnapping gang after television showed her arrest as three victims were freed. But the segment was staged by police: In fact, she'd been arrested the day before, the New York Times reports. Magistrates voted 3-2 to release Cassez, saying the staged arrest had violated her rights. They didn't, however, say whether she was guilty of the crime.

Cassez yesterday flew back to France, where she's been a cause célèbre, having received visits and gifts in prison from the likes of Carla Bruni. French media painted her as innocent, blaming a flawed Mexican justice system, the Times notes. The case caused tensions between the two countries; but now, "we can say that between France and Mexico we have the best relations that can be established," said French president François Hollande. But Mexican activists question the release. "Should a failure in the form leave aside the substance: if a person is guilty or not?" asked one. (More Florence Cassez stories.)