2024-07-14 09:58:40
(ANSA) – QUITO, JULY 12 – Five defendants in the murder of Ecuador’s presidential candidate, Fernando Villavicencio, have been sentenced in the first instance to between 12 and 34 years in prison. The assassination took place on August 9, when the journalist and politician was shot to death as he was leaving an election rally. According to the judges, at least two of the defendants belong to the Los Lobos criminal gang, one of the 22 gangs designated as terrorist organizations by President Daniel Noboa. According to reconstructions, the order to kill Villavicencio from prison was given by Carlos Angulo, known as ‘El Invisible’, while Laura Dayanara Castillo was in charge of logistics. The two were sentenced to 34 years and eight months. The sentences for three other members of the assassination commando, Erick Ramírez, Víctor Flores and Alexandra Chimbo, were instead 12 years. Meanwhile, the prosecutor’s office continues its investigation into those who ordered the assassination of the candidate, who had denounced corruption and links between organized crime and politics in the country. (ANSA).
2024-07-14 09:58:40