Background on Simón Levy
Simón Levy Dabbah, a Mexican businessman and former government official, is currently facing an extradition process in Mexico after being detained in Portugal. His arrest was based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol.
Court Ruling and Conditions of Bail
According to Mexico’s Security Cabinet, the Appellate Court in Lisbon ordered Levy’s release under bail conditions. These include mandatory residence and identity checks while his nationality status is verified, and his extradition to Mexican authorities is resolved.
Details of Charges Against Simón Levy
Levy faces two active arrest warrants. The first is for environmental crimes and responsibility of directors in overseeing public works, stemming from his repeated failure to attend judicial hearings in separate criminal cases. The second warrant is for threats and intentional damage to another’s property.
Notification and Response
The Fiscal General de Justicia de la Ciudad de México (FGJCDMX) was informed by the Fiscal General de la República (FGR) that Simón Levy was detained on October 28 for extradition purposes, according to information from the National Central Office of Interpol Mexico and its Portuguese counterpart.
Levy’s Statement After Detention
Despite President Claudia Sheinbaum’s comments about Levy’s detention in Portugal, the former official posted a video on social media claiming he was free and unharmed. He did not mention the ongoing legal process.
Additional Legal Conflict
Besides the extradition process, Levy is involved in a legal dispute with Emma Yolanda Santos. She accused him in 2019 of breaching a construction agreement for a building in Miguel Hidalgo’s Polanco district. In November 2021, Santos released a video showing Levy verbally threatening her at her doorstep, leading to a formal complaint for assault.
Resolution of the Conflict with Santos
Following the video’s release, Levy publicly apologized on social media and expressed his intention to resolve the conflict with Santos.
Key Questions and Answers
- Who is Simón Levy Dabbah? Simón Levy Dabbah is a Mexican businessman and former government official who served as the ex-subsecretary of Tourism Planning and Policy during Andrés Manuel López Obrador’s administration.
- Why was Levy detained in Portugal? He was detained based on a Red Notice issued by Interpol, related to his failure to attend judicial hearings in separate criminal cases.
- What are the charges against Levy? Levy faces two active arrest warrants: one for environmental crimes and responsibility of directors in public works, and another for threats and intentional damage to another’s property.
- What is the current status of Levy’s extradition process? The Appellate Court in Lisbon ordered Levy’s release under bail conditions, including mandatory residence and identity checks while his nationality status is verified, and his extradition to Mexican authorities is resolved.
- What is the legal conflict with Emma Yolanda Santos? Santos accused Levy of breaching a construction agreement in 2019. Following a video showing verbal threats, she filed a formal complaint for assault.
- How did Levy respond to the detention? Despite President Claudia Sheinbaum’s comments, Levy posted a video on social media claiming he was free and unharmed without mentioning the ongoing legal process.
