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🇪🇨 Ecuador /Crime & Justice

18 charged in Otavalo Police Command attack to go to trial

From El Comercio · () Spanish

Translated from Spanish, summarized and contextualized by DistantNews.

At a glance

News Official statement In the courts
  • Eighteen individuals accused of attacking the Otavalo Police Command in September 2025 will now face trial.
  • The Provincial Court of Imbabura's Criminal Chamber overturned a previous dismissal of charges.
  • This decision follows an appeal and indicates sufficient evidence for the trial.

A significant legal development has occurred in Ecuador, with 18 individuals accused of attacking the Otavalo Police Command in September 2025 now set to stand trial. The Criminal Chamber of the Provincial Court of Imbabura has overturned a previous decision that dismissed the charges against the accused. This reversal came after an appeal was filed, and the court determined that there is sufficient evidence to proceed with a trial.

we welcome favorably the resolution of the judges and will continue with the corresponding legal actions to safeguard our assets and institutional interests.

— National PoliceThe National Police expressed their positive reception to the court's decision and their commitment to pursuing legal avenues.

The original dismissal had favored the 18 defendants in the case related to events during the September 2025 demonstrations in Otavalo. These demonstrations reportedly involved damage and destruction to the police facilities in the Imbabura province. The police have welcomed the court's decision, stating they will continue legal actions to protect institutional assets and interests.

the judicial process must be developed under the principles of legality, impartiality, due process, and legal certainty.

— National PoliceThe National Police outlined the fundamental principles that should guide the ongoing legal proceedings.

The National Police emphasized that the judicial process must adhere to principles of legality, impartiality, due process, and legal certainty. They added that the ongoing legal proceedings aim to clarify the events of the 2025 demonstrations and safeguard public property. The case will now advance to a new judicial stage following the court's ruling.

the judicial actions related to the events seek to contribute to the clarification of what happened during the demonstrations and to the protection of assets intended for the service of citizens.

— National PoliceThe National Police stated the objectives of the judicial process, focusing on accountability and the protection of public property.
DistantNews Editorial

Originally published by El Comercio in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized by our editorial team with added local perspective. Read our editorial standards.

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