Ex-judge in Ecuador sentenced to 5 years for freeing femicide convicts

A former judge from Montecristi, Manabí, has been sentenced to five years in prison for the crime of prevarication. The conviction stems from her decision to release two individuals who were serving sentences for femicide. The Provincial Court of Justice of Manabí found Gina Z. guilty of abusing her judicial authority.

The case originated from an investigation initiated by the Prosecutor's Office in March 2023, after learning of the judge's order to release the two convicted femicide perpetrators. These individuals were incarcerated at the El Turi Social Rehabilitation Center in Azuay province. Following the discovery of her decision, prosecutors conducted a search of the judge's office, gathering evidence that led to charges being filed against her.

Gina Z. was initially called to trial, but the proceedings were suspended when she fled the country. In May 2026, she was deported from the United States back to Ecuador, allowing the judicial process to resume. During the trial, prosecutors presented evidence including witness testimonies from investigating officers, forensic reports from seized electronic devices, and official documentation.

Further complicating matters, the National Council of the Judiciary had already dismissed Gina Z. in October 2023. Prosecutors argued that her rulings, which allegedly benefited not only the femicide convicts but also others accused of crimes against property and life, constituted inexcusable error. The investigation also indicated that the former judge may have acted outside her territorial jurisdiction when issuing the release orders.