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Grandma Imprisoned In Mexico Could Get Help From Seattle

caption: A photo of Nestora Salgado from her website. The caption says it is a photo of her as the leader of the community police.
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A photo of Nestora Salgado from her website. The caption says it is a photo of her as the leader of the community police.
freenestora.org

The case of a Renton woman who is jailed in Mexico is getting new attention.

Nestora Salgado was arrested 30 months ago, detained because of her involvement in a community-based police force in the Mexican state of Guerrero.

Related: Renton Grandmother In Mexican Prison: 'I Need Help'

The Seattle City Council will consider a resolution Tuesday that asks the federal government to keep pressuring Mexican leaders to free her.

That's after similar efforts by other governments and a ruling from a United Nations panel two weeks ago that said Salgado should be released immediately.

Seattle University professor Thomas Antkowiak, one of Salgado's attorneys, said attention from the U.N. has changed things.

"We've been assured by a high level authority in the Mexican government that right now steps are being taken to release her, to obtain her freedom,” Antkowiak said. “But this is something that won't happen without constant pressure on behalf of U.S. political leaders."

Antkowiak said the city council measure would help that momentum.

Salgado's husband Jose Avila still lives in Renton. He said his family is facing a monster trying to work with the Mexican government, and any support helps.

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