Chiriboga: ‘A possible agreement with Odebrecht will respect the protection of victims and witnesses’

Ecuador is negotiating an agreement with the Brazilian company Odebrecht to clarify the alleged millionaire bribes paid by the construction giant to Ecuadorian officials, according to statements of Attorney General Galo Chiriboga issued Monday, March 6, 2017. “If there is an agreement between the Ecuadorian State and the Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, I propose that it be public,” Chiriboga said through his Twitter account.

The Attorney, who has held talks with legal representatives of the company, added that “the confidentiality of a possible agreement with Odebrecht will respect the protection of victims and witnesses and the nature of the investigation.”

He pointed out that “investigations that result from a possible cooperation agreement will have the treatment provided by law” and “shall adhere to the legal compliance of the Attorney General´s office of the Ecuadorian State.” Ecuador’s Public Prosecutor’s Office investigates the revelation made by the US Department of Justice: bribes paid by Odebrecht between 2007 and 2016 for USD 33.5 million to Ecuadorian officials.