Quebec man extradited to Mexico despite torture fears

A man arrested in western Quebec after being accused of killing a prison guard in Mexico has been extradited.

Régent Boily, 62, was sent to Mexicoearly Friday despite his fear that he will be tortured if returned to prison there, confirmed his lawyer, Christian Deslauriers.

Boily had asked theUnited Nations Committee Against Torture to intervene, butthe committeeallowed the extradition to take place whileit is reviewing the case.

Consequently, Deslaurierstold CBC newsheexpectsBoily will be tortured.

"He might even be tortured right now while we're talking."

The committeeis expected to decide in six months whetherBoily's casequalifies for a hearing, Deslauriers said.

Meanwhile, he added, Mexico has assured Canada that Boily will be allowed contact with his lawyers.

Boily was arrested in Sainte-Cécile-de-Masham in the municipality of La Pêche, about 40 kilometres northwest of Gatineau, in 2005.

He was wanted on an international warrant after Mexican authorities alleged he had shot to death a guard while escaping fromprison in 1999.

He had been serving a 14-year sentence for drug trafficking.

Amnesty International has criticized Mexico's justice system for flaws that include specific cases of torture.