Defense Says Alvarez Remains Guayaquil Mayor Despite Two Convictions
Translated from Spanish and summarized by DistantNews. Read the original for the full story.
At a glance
Newswire
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In the courts
- Alquiles Alvarez's defense says he remains mayor of Guayaquil because two first-instance convictions are not yet legally final.
- Alvarez received sentences of six years and eight months in the Triple A fuel case and three years in the Grillete case involving an electronic-monitoring violation.
- Prosecutors say the fuel investigation involved an alleged $61.5 million loss to the Ecuadorian state.
Alquiles Alvarez remains mayor of Guayaquil despite receiving two prison sentences, according to his defense. The jailed politician, a leading opponent of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, has not lost his civil or political rights because neither ruling has become final.
A court sentenced Alvarez on Saturday to six years and eight months in prison in the Triple A case, which concerns the alleged illegal distribution and sale of fuel. That sentence follows a three-year term in the Grillete case for failing to use an electronic monitor ordered in the earlier proceedings.
Because neither of the two sentences is final, the situation is practically the same as it was before the sentences were issued. He remains mayor.
“Because neither of the two sentences is final, the situation is practically the same as it was before the sentences were issued. He remains mayor,” lawyer Julio César Cueva said at a news conference. He added that Alvarez’s civil and political rights “have not yet been taken away because, evidently, the sentence is not final.”
Have not yet been taken away because, evidently, the sentence is not final.
Cueva said the defense had filed requests for clarification and expansion in the Grillete case, including to determine whether artificial intelligence was used to draft the first-instance ruling. In the Triple A case, he accused prosecutors of lacking objectivity and judges of lacking impartiality. He said the defense would present further arguments and legal appeals once it receives the written judgment.
The Triple A investigation began after Arconel, Ecuador’s energy and natural-resources regulator, reported irregular fuel distribution and sales. Prosecutors estimate the alleged state loss at $61,502,658.39, linked to 22,777,191.80 gallons of diesel and gasoline. They say expert reports found that service stations’ storage capacity did not match the volumes purchased from the companies under investigation.
Alvarez and his family have not been investigated by objective prosecutors or judged by impartial judges.
About this summary
Originally published by ABC Color in Spanish. Translated, summarized, and contextualized automatically by DistantNews, with a note on how the source frames the story. Not individually reviewed before publishing. How this works.
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