Ecuador's former president Lenín Moreno convicted of corruption

Ecuador's former President Lenín Moreno has been sentenced to five years in prison for bribery by the Supreme Court. The conviction stems from allegations that Moreno, while serving as vice president from 2007 to 2013, influenced the awarding and financing of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant project.

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Moreno had intervened in the awarding and financing of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant.

The court stated that Moreno intervened in favor of the Chinese company Sinohydro. Prosecutors claim that bribes totaling $76.1 million were paid in connection with the project, with over $1.1 million allegedly going to members of Moreno's family. Moreno, who later served as president from 2017 to 2021, has rejected the accusations and maintains that the legal proceedings are politically motivated.

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76.1 million US dollars in bribes were paid in this context, with more than 1.1 million US dollars going to members of Moreno's family.

The sentence is not yet legally binding and can be appealed, meaning Moreno will not immediately be incarcerated. The case highlights ongoing corruption investigations in Ecuador and the legal challenges faced by former high-ranking officials.

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He rejects the allegations and calls the proceedings politically motivated.