LETTER TO MEXICO for the release of SGT. ANDREW TAHMOORESSI

Sep 24, 2014

U.S. CONGRESSMAN MATT SALMON - LETTER TO MEXICO SGT. ANDREW TAHMOORESSI.

Sep 5, 2014.

 

Mr. Jesús Murillo Karam,
Attorney General,
United Mexican States.

Dear Attorney General Murillo Karam,

We are writing to express our continued concern, for the well-being of U.S. Marine Sgt. Andrew Tahmooressi, who has been held in a Mexican prison since March 31, 2014.  Mr. Tahmooressi inadvertently arrived at the Mexican border, after becoming confused and taking a wrong turn.  As you know, Mr. Tahmooressi is a U.S. Marine Corps Reservist who, after honorably serving two combat tours in Afghanistan, suffers from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD.)  His diagnosed PTSD presents itself in hyper-vigilance, memory and cognition lapses, and depression.  His suicide attempt while incarcerated in the La Mesa jail, in Tijuana was a manifestation of this disorder, and highlights the need for him to immediately begin treatment, at a clinic specialized in combat related PTSD in the United States of America.

As citizens of our country reflect on the recent barbaric execution of Americans, at the hands of radical Islamic terrorists, we are reminded of the service of men and women of our nation's Armed Forces who, like Sgt Tahmooressi, sacrificed so much to combat the scourge of terrorism, that threatens to destabilize the world. Sgt. Tahmooressi's combat related PTSD, is a life threatening condition he acquired in honorable defense of his country, and he needs to return to the United States, to begin treatment post haste.   It is because of this that we have been closely following his incarceration in Mexico, even visiting him at the El Hongo II prison, in Tecate.  And it is because of this that we respectfully ask for your good offices in assuring that his case is resolved urgently.

Attorney General Murillo Karam, we are respectful of Mexico’s laws and sovereignty, and are committed to our bilateral relationship.  We are also mindful of your obligations as Mexico’s chief law enforcement officer.  Given the extenuating circumstances, surrounding his erroneous arrival at the Mexican border, and the fact that he requires specific and urgent treatment for PTSD, we ask for your personal assurance that a humanitarian solution is reached, for the immediate release of Sgt. Tahmooressi.

We look forward to continued and necessary cooperation in promoting security along our common border, as we turn to you for your personal intervention in seeing this case finally resolved.

United States Representative Matt Salmon, 5th District of Arizona.