Mexican oil giant's ex-boss extradited from Spain over corruption charges

Source: Xinhua | 2020-07-18

Mexican oil giant Pemex's former head Emilio Lozoya was extradited from Spain on Thursday over corruption charges, with an initial court hearing set for Friday.

Lozoya, 45, who was the boss of Mexico's state-run oil company Petroleos Mexicanos between 2012 and 2016, has been charged with bribery and money laundering, but he has denied any wrongdoing.

He was arrested in the southern Spanish city of Malaga in February.

Mexican law demands he make an initial statement to a judge once he enters Mexico.

President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador told a news conference on Thursday he believes Lozoya's extradition will "help purify public life, to clean up corruption in the country."