2024-08-29 22:54:38
Prosecutor Luzmila Lluglla accused seven defendants in the Encuentro case of being direct perpetrators of organized crime, including Danilo Carrera and Hernán Luque.
The accusation was made during the re-installation of the preparatory hearing of the trial in the Northern Judicial Complex of Quito, since the morning of this Monday, July 22. At this stage, the The prosecution presented its evidence so that the accused can be brought to trial. For their part, the lawyers of those involved will present their defenses and argue why their clients should not go to trial.
The decision of whether or not to bring them to trial is in the hands of the Anti-Corruption Judge, Renán Andrade.
Who is being prosecuted?
The following are being prosecuted in the case:
- Danilo Carrera, brother-in-law of former President Guillermo Lasso
- Hernán Luque, former manager of EMCO
- Gabriel Nain Massuh, businessman
- Antonio Clemente Icaza, former manager of CNEL
- Leonardo Cortazar, businessman
- Karen Cornejo
- Tatiana Farias
- The Prosecutor’s Office announced that it will issue an abstention ruling against three other people because it did not find sufficient evidence to bring them to trial.
Danilo Carrera is in preventive detention. Hernan Luque He is in Argentina and although his extradition was granted, he appealed the decision and that hearing has not yet taken place. The National Court of Justice asked Panama for help in the extradition of Leonardo Cortazarthe man who appeared in the famous ‘Miami pool’ photo, alongside figures such as former assemblyman Ronny Aleaga and Xavier Jordán.
How does the structure work?
According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Carrera, along with the murdered Rubén Cherres, led a structure that committed crimes in order to obtain illegal economic benefits through contracts with public companies.
To achieve this, they relied on Luque in the public companies and Icaza in CNEL. These in turn had collaborators with specific roles, such as Leonardo Cortázar, who worked in the electrical sector, and two businesswomen contractors.
What is being investigated in the Encuentro case?
The defendants in the Encuentro Case are being prosecuted for the crime of organized crime, allegedly participating in a criminal organizationmade up of public officials and individuals.
The Prosecutor’s Office is investigating the obtaining of undue economic benefits, using its close position with politics and thus interfere in public institutions such as CNEL EP, BanEcuador and the National Customs Service.
By: Ecuavisa