'El Chapo' Guzmán
Joaquín 'El Chapo' Guzmán AFP / Getty Images

'El Chapo' Guzman's lawyers began the legal battle to prevent his extradition to the United States early on Sunday morning. Barely 24 hours had passed since his capture when the Sinaloa Cartel leader's lawyers filed for 'writ of amparo' to keep Guzman on Mexican soil, Univision revealed. The writ of amparo is a law exclusive to the Mexican justic system that provides protection against any act by Mexican authorities. 'El Chapo' has charges pending in New York, Illinois, California and Texas.

'El Chapo' Guzman was in a poor state following his arrest. "From his arrest, we saw him pretty beat up, so we presented an amparo against torture and non-communication and against deportation or exile," Guzman's lawyer Heriberto Rangel told UnivisionNoticias.com. The amparo is signed by 'El Chapo's sister, Bernarda Guzmán Loera, and seeks to avoid the kingpin's extradition, and also seeks to ensure that the human rights of Joaquin Archivaldo Guzmán Loera, are respected.

The Eight Judge of the District of Amparo and Penal Matters already approved the notice for the protection of El Chapo's rights against non-communication and torutre, however, he has not approved material relating to extradition. The court has until tomorrow to decide on what charges will be laid against Guzman. "What we are asking is for him to not be placed in inhumane conditions because of his previous escape. He can be watched, but there is no reason to beat him or have him isolated," said his lawyer.

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