On Friday, an Ecuadorian court pronounced prison verdicts for five individuals, determined guilty of assassinating the presidential contender Fernando Villavicencio. Villavicencio, renowned as a journalist and ex-lawmaker, met his untimely demise via gunshot after participating in a rally in August 2023, his death being a crucial highlight in Ecuador’s escalating violence.
The judgement, announced by Milton Maroto, one amongst the triad of judges on the bench, is subject to appeal by both the defence and prosecution entities. The commencement of the trial dates back to the end of June.
The prosecution alleged duo involvement from the accused within the notorious Los Lobos criminal consortium, recognised as one of the 22 criminal syndicates labelled as terrorists by the incumbent president, Daniel Noboa, earlier this year.
From investigative insights by the attorney general’s office, Carlos Edwin Angulo Lara, also known as “El Invisible”, was found to have orchestrated Villavicencio’s murder from his prison cell. Additionally, Laura Dayanara Castillo was tasked with overseeing logistics. The pair were meted out sentences totalling 34 years and eight months.
Of the accused, Erick Ramirez, Victor Flores, and Alexandra Chimbo received 12-year sentences. Villavicencio, a well-known face within journalism for his unearthing of corrupt practices and the shady nexus between politicians and organized crime, was persistently under threat.
The prosecution is currently initiating a second investigation to uncover the identity of the person who greenlit the murder. One of the murderers was killed at the scene of Villavicencio’s assassination while seven suspects, primarily Colombian nationals, were assassinated in October during their time in jail awaiting trial.
The deceased’s acquaintances and kin have voiced their dissatisfaction regarding multiple postponements and are eagerly soliciting investigations into uncovering who masterminded the killing. Earlier on Friday, Veronica Sarauz, Villavicencio’s widow, made an online plea for the judges to impart the maximum law implications on the accused. – Reuters.