Photo: Health Affairs

By KELIN DILLON 

As Mexico’s Attorney General of the Republic (FGR) Alejandro Gertz Manero continues his pursuit to put 31 of the nation’s scientists behind bars, the FGR has emerged with accusations against nine former officials of the National Council for Science and Technology (Conacyt) and Consultative, Scientific and Technological Forum (FCCyT) that could land them each up to 82.5 years in prison.

The main figures of the new allegations, including accusations of money laundering and organized crime, stem against ​​former Conacyt General Director Enrique Cabrero Mendoza, former FCCyT Coordinator Julia Tagüeña Parga, Deputy Director of Administration and Finance David García Junco Machado, and former Senior Officer of the Council Víctor Gerardo Carreón Rodríguez.

The officials now face 60 years in prison for purported involvement in organized crime, with an added 22.5 years for alleged money laundering. The FGR has indicated it issued arrest warrants so the accused can face a maximum sentence rather than issue summons for an indictment hearing.

The FGR has built its case around banking information of the FCCyT obtained in the first six months of 2021, though the issue came to a public head after a number of scientists and academics accused the FGR’s head Gertz of plagiarism, seemingly expediting the FGR’s actions.