Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas Detained Pending Trial

Edited by Pavel Jacomino
2017-10-03 15:28:32

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Ecuadorian Vice President Jorge Glas

Quito, October 3 (RHC-teleSUR)-- Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas presented himself in Quito to be taken to jail, as part of a preventive detention order, while he is still investigated on allegations of corruption. 

Glas said Monday night he would face justice, not like other politicians who have fled to avoid charges, because he is innocent.  He said he accepted "under protest" what he called an "outrageous attack." 

Ecuador's Supreme Court ordered that Glas be detained on suspicion of being part of the corruption scheme involving the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht.  Odebrecht officials allege they have paid $33 million in bribes paid to the Ecuadorean government to win contracts. 

"Without evidence and with forged evidence, lynching is all they have left," he said.  "I will go to national and international bodies in my defense." 

Attorney General Carlos Baca Mancheno requested that Glas receive preventive detention to prevent an alleged potential risk of escape. Judge Miguel Jurado accepted the request.  Until Monday’s ruling, the official was barred from leaving the country. 

Glas is close to former President Rafael Correa and an advocate of the socially-driven policies of the Citizen's Revolution.  The vice president has been critical of the policies of President Lenin Moreno, who has been accused by Correa of tilting toward a right-wing "betrayal" after taking office in May. 

Calling his persecution "a clear retaliation" for criticizing Moreno's policies, Glas also blamed pressure from "major businessmen and opposition leaders." 

The ruling party PAIS Alliance has indicated that it will defend due process and presumption of innocence. 

Correa has defended Glas' innocence and explained that a "media plot" had been constructed as it was in Brazil against ousted former President Dilma Rousseff and Luiz Inacio "Lula" da Silva. 

President Moreno relieved Glas of his official vice presidential duties in August, which did not strip him of his position since he was elected in April. 



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