TORONTO - A Canadian woman detained by Mexican authorities in connection with an alleged plot involving a son of Libyan leader Moammar Gadhafi is devastated by her ordeal, says one of her lawyers.
Paul Copeland hasn't actually been able to speak with Cynthia Vanier, but has been in touch with family members and her Mexican lawyer who have been in contact.
"She's very upset and she's actually having some health difficulties in the jail," said Copeland, who wouldn't specify what the health problems are.
Mexican authorities have also seized a condo near Puerto Vallarta that Vanier and her husband owned, something that has added to her anxiety, said Copeland, a well known Canadian human rights lawyer.
Vanier, who runs a business based in Mount Forest, Ont. that specializes in mediating disputes, is accused by Mexican authorities of leading a plot to illegally smuggle Al-Saadi Gadhafi into Mexico.
Vanier denies the allegation and never had any contact with Gadhafi, Copeland said.
Even if Vanier does not end up being charged, the detention and the media coverage alone will likely cause lasting damage to her business reputation, Copeland suggested.
"It has been extremely hard on the family," Copeland said. "And probably, even if she's acquitted or not charged, which is still a possibility, I think they've destroyed her business."
Her biography on her business's website describes her as a negotiator, mediator and consultant who works primarily within First Nation communities.
Copeland said the Canadian government has said very little about the case and he hasn't had any discussions with the Canadian authorities.
Mexican authorities have held Vanier since Nov. 10 and can continue to detain her without charging her until Dec. 22, according to Copeland who added it's possible her status could remain up in the air well into the New Year.
"I'm told there's a possibility the government can apply for another 40 days," said Copeland.
Last week Mexico's interior minister accused Vanier of being the leader of a plot.
Alejandro Poire said the plan to bring Gadhafi to Mexico allegedly involved Vanier, two Mexicans and a Danish suspect, all of whom have been detained.
Gadhafi denied last week he was trying to enter Mexico. He fled Libya earlier this year after the fall of his father's regime and was given refugee status in Niger.
Al-Saadi and other Gadhafi family members have been placed under an asset freeze and travel ban by the U.N. Security Council.
Gadhafi's other son, Seif al-Islam, who has been charged with crimes against humanity by the International Criminal Court, was captured in Libya in November. Two other brothers, Seif al-Arab and Khamis, were killed during earlier fighting, while their mother, Safiya, sister Aisha and another brother, Mohammed, fled to neighbouring Algeria.
