Authorities fear El Chapo's unusual prison request maybe ploy to escape

For two and half years Mexican drug kingpin Joaquin "El Chapo" Guzman has lived in solitary confinement ‑ with nearly no ability to communicate with the outside world.

Now, with Guzman allegedly showing symptoms of distress and sleep deprivation, his defence team had several requests for US District Judge Brian Cogan earlier this month: two hours of outdoor exercise every week, the same food and drink as other inmates, permission to buy six bottles of water a week and earplugs.

According to new court filings obtained by CNN, the government opposed all of the above and alleged the request was part of a ploy to escape from prison or silence cooperating witnesses.

61 year old Guzman, faces multiple life sentences; he will be sentenced in federal court June 25.

Until then, the government requested Guzman be held in restrictive detention.

[The Washington Post]

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