Mexico: Arrest Warrant for Opposition Legislator Christian Von Roehrich Draws Criticism and Anger

An arrest warrant has been issued for prominent opposition legislator Christian Von Roehrich by Mexico City prosecutors. However, the warrant against Von Roehrich, a member of the conservative opposition National Action Party, has drawn much criticism.

Von Roehrich is part of the Mexico City Assembly, and he was caught up in a scandal where he allegedly used his authority and allowed builders to construct extra floors in apartment buildings. He was charged with illegal use of authority and criminal conspiracy.

According to the Associated Press, developers bribed several officials to allow them to violate zoning rules and place extra floors on apartment buildings. However, Von Roehrich and his National Action Party have cried foul over this and stated that the opposition legislator is facing political persecution.

The leader of the National Action Party, Andres Atayde, stated on social media that President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador's Morena Party does not fight corruption but prosecutes the opposition.

The embattled Von Roehrich serves as a local deputy leader for the party, as well as the former mayor of the Mexico City borough, Benito Juarez, according to Milenio.

Washing Machine Explosion Led to Investigation of Christian Von Roehrich

Public Ministry Spokesperson Ulises Lara stated that three other former officials of the Benito Juarez Mayor's Office have been arrested in the investigation against the embattled opposition legislator. They have been identified as Ismael "N," José Ramón "N," and Alejandro "N."

The three have been transferred to the North Prison in Mexico City and are now awaiting trial. Two previous arrests have also been made, and they also belong to the National Action Party. They are Nicias Aridjis, the former director of Works and Urban Development of the Mayor's Office, and Luis Vizcaino.

Authorities have called them a "Real Estate Cartel," and that they all allegedly used their political positions illegally.

According to El Pais, a washing machine exploded inside a house listed under the Benito Juarez Mayor's Office. This led to investigations into the irregular works being carried out within the borough.

Lara also added that they have "solid evidence" that could link "high-level" officials with crimes that occurred in the Benito Juarez Mayor's Office.

A Political Headache for the Administration's Possible Presidential Candidate

Mayor Claudia Sheinbaum has been facing criticism for not being able to jail anyone for the 2021 collapse of a city subway line that killed 26 people.

Opposition members have pointed out that her Morena Party's heavy-handed approach to members of the opposition has been hypocritical as government officials were lenient on members of their own party. Mayor Sheinbaum is currently one of the people seen to be the Morena Party's nominees for president in the next elections.

Many have pointed out that the subway line, which collapsed last year, was built in the 2000s when current administration Foreign Relations Secretary Marcelo Ebrard was still the mayor of Mexico City. The opposition stated that while there were charges made against those involved, they had less serious charges than the ones Von Roehrich is facing.

This article is owned by Latin Post.

Written by: Rick Martin

WATCH: Mexico march in support of President Lopez Obrador - AP Archive