No agreements in Case Diario El Universo – Correa

Yesterday in Ecuador, about 300 uniformed personnel, including police and members of the Military Forces stood by the Provincial Court and the Judicial Council of Guayas for almost 16 consecutive hours.

Ecuadorian president, Rafael Correa; his lawyer, Vera Alembert; Brothers Carlos, Nicolas and Cesar Perez, managers of Diario El Universo; their lawyer, Monica Vargas; Emilio Palacio, former opinion editor of the newspaper and his lawyer, León Roldós were the parts of a reserved trial.

El Universo company, its three executives and the author of the article called ‘No to lies’, Emilio Palacio, were accused under alleged slanderous charges in this legal complaint presented by the President.

People wearing T-shirts of the ruling movement stood outside the courthouse. Leader Byron Valle and Luis Monge, coordinator of the Ministry of Policy were among the crowd. In addition, council members  Octavio Villacreses, Guadalupe Salazar and Anita Banchón (the three of them members of the government party).

On the other hand, reporters, company staff, retirees, newsboys, their relatives, and more people did a two hours strike in favor of the newspaper in the old facilities of El Universo, on the streets Escobedo and 9 de Octubre.

The hearing ended before 16:00. Correa gave a brief press conference in the courthouse and retired after addressing the media questions.

As soon as Emilio Palacio emerged from the hearing, government supporters assaulted him, despite having police protection. A militant threw him an egg that fell on his shirt, while others insulted him. Then he walked several blocks under police protection.

Judge Juan Paredes, in charge of the Court of Criminal Guarantees number 15th, will be giving his ruling within four days. (FO)

Source: Diario El Universo, Diario Expreso, Diario El Comercio, Ecuadortimes

Photos by: Belén Guerrero y Arturo Varas - Ecuadortimes