Ruptly
"Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno appeared this Monday before the National Court of Justice in Quito to begin the trial hearing in the Sinohydro case, for the crime of bribery, after returning to the country from Paraguay. Filmed images show Moreno arriving at the National Court of Justice accompanied by his wife, Rocío González. The court, presided over by Judge Manuel Cabrera, officially declared the trial open around 09:30 local time. The proceedings are taking place within the framework of the investigation into an alleged scheme of illicit payments to Moreno and his family, linked to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, awarded to the Chinese company Sinohydro. Additionally, media outlets have reported that Ina Investment Corporation, an offshore company linked to his circle, allegedly purchased an apartment in Alicante, Spain, in 2016 with money supposedly tied to bribes. Moreno has asserted that neither he nor his family owns properties in Spain, and he has denied having assets abroad. "No one in my family nor I have ever been there, never, never. We had to meekly request proof from each of the municipalities in Spain that I have absolutely no property there," the former president declared to the press. Furthermore, during the appearance, some supporters of former President Rafael Correa demonstrated to demand accountability from Moreno. "We are here to demand justice and for him to be jailed for the infamous meeting he had with [President] Daniel Noboa, his accomplice," expressed one of the demonstrators. The Prosecutor's Office accuses Moreno as a presumed co-author of bribery, along with 17 other people, for having received favors and goods in exchange for facilitating contracts in the country's energy sector. The former president has publicly reiterated his innocence, stating that he did not receive money from Sinohydro and that he trusts the Ecuadorian justice system. Starting today, the evidentiary stage begins, with several days of hearings expected to receive testimonies, expert reports, and documents, before the court issues a verdict on criminal responsibility or acquittal in the case."
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