Prosecutors take Abdalá Bucaram to trial in case dating to 2020

The court was due to announce its decision in the Covid-19 Tests case, but Abdalá Bucaram’s absence delayed the hearing for a sixth time. His defense said the former president remained hospitalized with a heart problem.

The case began during the health emergency in 2020. Prosecutors accuse Bucaram of organized crime, alleging that a criminal structure took part in negotiating 21,000 rapid tests and obtained financial benefits from the transactions. The alleged activity took place between March and June 2020, while efforts to give the operations legitimacy allegedly continued until October.

The investigation covers alleged operations in Pichincha, Guayas, Santa Elena and Esmeraldas. Prosecutors also allege that vehicles, property and public servants from Quito’s Metropolitan Transit Agency were used. According to the accusation, agency agents provided security for Israeli citizens Oren S. and Shy D. while the rapid tests were transported to Guayaquil. Shy D. died in the Litoral Penitentiary on August 8, 2020, while Oren S. proceeded to trial.

Bucaram is being tried alongside his son, Jacobo Bucaram, Oren S. and former transit agent Leandro B. All four face the organized-crime charge, which carries a sentence of up to 10 years in prison, potentially increased by aggravating circumstances. The case formally began in August 2020, and the trial opened on April 11, 2025, after repeated postponements. Around 50 witnesses and experts testified, and prosecutors requested convictions.

Three of the four defendants joined the September 3 hearing, but Bucaram did not. His family said the 74-year-old underwent a procedure on August 26 before moving to another medical facility for recovery. The court sent a police search unit to the clinic where he was reportedly hospitalized to verify whether he was there and assess whether he could participate in the proceeding.