Rafael Correa called for financial compensation in hearing

Judge Lucy Blacio

During the hearing held yesterday in which the Ecuadorian President Rafael Correa and the lawyers for the three defendants made it clear that there are irreconcilable differences that prevent reaching an agreement that terminates the cause and although it did not give a figure, President Correa and his defense asked the criminal judge of the National Court of Justice (CNJ), Lucy Blacio, to set the amount of financial compensation to be canceled by Assemblyman Clever Jimenez (PK) and activists Fernando Villavicencio and Carlos Figueroa, in the trial for alleged malicious prosecution.

While setting up the audience, the surroundings of the CNJ were filled with militants and sympathizers of Alianza PAIS movement to support Correa.

Blacio opened the hearing at 15:12, despite the absence of Jimenez, Figueroa and Villavicencio, who tried to justify their absence with writings that the judge did not take into account. This is because last Thursday afternoon a new diligence was summoned, given that it was suspended that day in the morning, with the caveat that it will not accept any further delay.

Rafael Correa while leaving the audience against Clever Jimenez

For the audience was cited 19 witnesses, but only had 10 came. The arguments raised by the parties turned on the police revolt occurred on September 30, 2010.

The hearing continued despite complaints from lawyers of Jimenez and Figueroa, alleging that the hearing was invalid because, in their opinion, the process had processing violations. And because it allegedly did not respect the immunity of the Assemblyman.

“What has been done in this case is a hoax: they have said that they could not enter the hearing yesterday (Thursday) and today (Friday) did not appear. Yesterday, as they knew they were going to suspend the hearing, no witnesses came. Today they came, but the accused did not came. This is nothing but a hoax,” said Correa before leaving the room.

The hearing ended at 21:40. The judge stated that the speaking was finished and said that the resolution will be reported in the next four days. These are labor days, so it would be delivered next Thursday.