Raúl Salinas de Gortari, brother of former Mexican president Carlos Salinas, is best known for being convicted of masterminding the killing of José Francisco Ruiz Massieu, his political enemy and former brother-in-law. His alleged money laundering of millions of dollars, involvement in the drug trade, and playboy lifestyle make him one of Mexico's most villianized personages. His legendary corruption made him influential in the shift toward democracy, as Mexicans looked for political reform that would eliminate the potential for similar abuses of power.

Ruiz Massieu case

Salinas was arrested on February 28, 1995 on charges of ordering the killing of Ruiz Massieu on September 24, 1994. Immediately following the killing, President Salinas made Mario Ruiz Massieu, a justice official and the brother of the victim, the head prosecutor on the case. He suspected Raúl, but on November 23, 1994, he resigned, claiming that the government was hindering his investigation. The following week, President Salinas was replaced by president-elect Zedillo, and the following year, Zedillo indicted Raúl Salinas.

External links

BBC news release