Galo Lara seeks political asylum in Panama

Galo Lara

After the arrest of the former assembly member of Sociedad Patriotica, Galo Lara, in Panama, for the claims of his defense that said the case is more political than legal, and for which the Prosecution and the National Court of Justice (CNJ) issued a sentence of 10 years against Lara.

Lara’s lawyers said he was arrested in Panama on Sunday, but was released on Monday.

According to Pedro Granja, attorney of Lara, the arrest was just an announcement since the judgement has been notified and for him the sentence is not final, the same for the arrest warrant, a prerequisite for the spread of Code Red, issued on September 10 by the Ecuadorian authorities.

For Granja, this process is an example of political persecution; he explained that Lara was exposing alleged government corruption. Lara’s defense plans to travel to Panama today.

Meanwhile, the head of Interpol in Ecuador is also in Panama. According to the Attorney General Galo Chiriboga, that’s not a political case but a common murder, and considers that granting the asylum or not to the former legislator will be up to Panamanian authorities.