20 of the 21 detainees of El Arbolito were released

Image: El Comercio

The doors of the Provisional Detention Center (CDP) opened at 23:00 on December 17, 2015. With their raised hands one by one 20 of the 21 detainees during the protests of El Arbolito park came out.

They spent 15 days in prison for participating in the demonstrations last December 3 against the amendments adopted by the National Assembly.

Their relatives greeted them with applause and hugs. The first one who came out was Edgar Sarango. He did not deny having been in the demonstrations but said he did not attack the cops and that his detention was unfair, so he will initiate a legal action against the State.

At 23:30 the other 20 detainees left the facilities. On the outside of the detention center representatives of indigenous groups made ritual in their honor using alcohol and nettles. As they explained, the ritual was to leave the “bad energy in jail.”
 

In addition to the ritual they changed their clothes as a symbol of cleanliness.
Source: http://www.elcomercio.com/actualidad/ecuador-detenidos-protestas-arbolito-liberados.html