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Belinda surprised her followers by revealing that they will soon be able to see her on the small screen as Florence Cassez, in a new Prime Video series inspired by one of the most controversial legal cases in Mexico. The announcement once again placed a story that caused controversy for years in Mexico and France under the spotlight: the arrest of Cassez and Israel Vallarta, the accusations of kidnapping, the famous operation broadcast on television, and the irregularities that ultimately proved decisive for the release of the French citizen.
Through a message on her official Instagram account, Belinda announced that her next project and professional challenge will be bringing Florence Cassez to life. "Very soon I will fulfill one of the most important dreams of my career: to play Florence Cassez in a miniseries inspired by one of the most shocking cases of recent decades, a true story that shook an entire nation and transcended borders," wrote the singer.
She added: "It is a complex story, deeply human and full of nuances, that deserves to be told with sensitivity, honesty, and respect. From the first day, I have put my whole heart into this project and I hope that, when the moment arrives, I can move you as much as it has moved us to create it."
According to the revealed information, the production does not yet have a definitive release date, although it is speculated that it could arrive on Prime Video between 2027 and 2028.
But who is Florence Cassez, why was she arrested in Mexico, and what really happened in one of the judicial processes that generated the most controversy in the country?
Who is Florence Cassez?
Florence Marie Louise Cassez Crépin is a French citizen who was arrested in Mexico in December 2005 (when she was 31 years old), along with Israel Vallarta, who was her partner at the time. Mexican authorities indicated that both were linked to a kidnapping organization known as Los Zodiaco. However, the arrest was marked by enormous controversy due to the way in which it was presented before television cameras.
Florence Cassez was born in Lille, France, on November 17, 1974, so she is currently 51 years old.
Why was the Florence Cassez case so controversial?
On December 9, 2005, authorities presented images to the media of what appeared to be an operation carried out in real-time against a gang of kidnappers.
Later, it was acknowledged that the scene had been recreated for television, which triggered questioning regarding the actions of the authorities and the way in which Cassez and Vallarta were publicly presented as responsible for crimes before the judicial process concluded. The case even involved the then-Federal Investigation Agency (AFI), headed by Genaro García Luna.
Was Florence Cassez declared guilty?
Cassez was accused and sentenced in 2007 to 60 years in prison for the crimes of kidnapping, organized crime, and illegal possession of weapons for the exclusive use of the Mexican army.
However, the discussion was not only focused on determining if there were accusations against her, but also on the irregularities that surrounded her arrest. Due to such anomalies, the Supreme Court ordered her release in 2013.
Florence left prison on January 23, 2013, and subsequently left Mexico to return to France.
Did the Florence Cassez case cause a conflict between Mexico and France?
The case had significant diplomatic repercussions between both countries. The French government, led at the time by Nicolas Sarkozy, defended Cassez's situation and pressured to find a solution that would allow her release or transfer to France.
[Publicidad]