Arrest warrant against Jamil Mahuad

Former President Jamil Mahuad Witt currently lives in the U.S.

National judge Ximena Veintimilla, along with the support from the National Police and Interpol, provided the location and arrest of former President Jamil Mahuad Witt and the seizure of all of his property throughout Ecuador.

The arrest comes after the Court of Appeal of the National Court of Justice (CNJ for its Spanish acronym) decided to dismiss the appeal made by Mahuad, giving way to the implementation of precautionary measures.

Patricio Vivanco, defense lawyer of Jamil Mahuad, said the case against his client “was always a political issue” and “nowadays is an election issue.”

“Malfeasance has been committed, defense of former president will be issued in a letter tomorrow (today), with our legal arguments on it,” said Vivanco.

The former president, who ruled Ecuador from August 10, 1998 until January 21, 2000, when he was overthrown, currently lives in the United States.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Jamil Mahuad was responsible for the bank holiday declared on March 11, 1999, which involved the freezing of funds of all national bank customers. (MZ)