Mexican pop singer denied bail

The singer known as the Mexican Madonna was arrested on Saturday on her arrival in Mexico after being extradited from Brazil.

" They should be ashamed to do this to me right on 24 December - it's an international outrage "
Gloria Trevi

Ms Trevi is currently in jail in the northern state of Chihuahua with her 10-month old son.

She has denied the charges of kidnapping, rape and corruption of underage girls.

A court spokeswoman said the judge had decided to keep the singer behind bars because "the crime of aggravated rape does not warrant bail".

Ms Trevi and her defence team angrily rejected the ruling.

"They should be ashamed to do this to me right on 24 December. It's an international outrage," the 34-year-old singer said.

She then blew a kiss to the cameras and said: "Merry Christmas, Mexico."

Her lawyers accused Judge Hector Talamantes of having demonstrated "clear biases" and said they would seek his removal from the case.

'In danger'

Ms Trevi was arrested in Rio de Janeiro in early 2000 and has been in and out of jail in Brasilia while her home country attempted to bring her to face charges in a Mexican court.

During her detention, her baby Angel Gabriel was conceived and born.

Ms Trevi had consistently opposed being sent back to Mexico, saying her life would be in danger in her native country.

She claimed prominent figures in business and politics wanted to silence her before she talks about local corruption.

But, at the end of November, Ms Trevi's lawyers announced that she no longer wanted to pursue any remaining legal options to stop her return.

Rape claims

The 34-year-old singer is accused of involvement in procuring underage girls for her ex-husband and manager Sergio Andrade.

The prosecution's chief witness is Karina Yapor, who was 12 when she joined Trevi as a backing singer in 1997.

She had a baby a year later, and says that Andrade was the father.

She says she "suffered horrible physical and psychological abuse" while living with the couple.

Another of Trevi's backing singers, Maria Raquenel Portillo, is also accused of corrupting a minor.

All three deny the charges.