Trial hearing for former Ecuadorian president Abdalá Bucaram postponed for fifth time

The trial hearing involving former Ecuadorian President Abdalá Bucaram failed to resume for a fifth time, leaving the court unable to announce its decision in the Covid-19 test case.

Bucaram, his son Jacobo and three other people face proceedings over alleged organized crime. His defense requested another postponement, saying the former president remained hospitalized with a heart problem. The court ordered a police search unit to locate him, but an officer said staff at the Guayaquil clinic did not provide information about his whereabouts.

The case has already faced several delays. Twenty-four days earlier, the absence of an expert and a defense lawyer prevented the court from reading its ruling. Six days before the latest hearing, a power outage halted proceedings. Five days later, the court declared the hearing unsuccessful after confirming Bucaram’s admission to intensive care.

The tribunal set the next hearing for Sept. 3 at 5 p.m. It is expected to address the alleged responsibility of the defendants in the case.

The prosecution is investigating alleged organized crime connected to the negotiation of 21,000 rapid Covid-19 diagnostic tests. Prosecutors allege that irregularities occurred between March and June 2020, with efforts to legitimize the activities continuing until October. The accusation describes a structure that obtained financial benefits and involved goods and public employees from Quito’s Metropolitan Transit Agency in transporting the tests to Guayaquil. The alleged activity affected Pichincha, Guayas, Santa Elena and Esmeraldas. Fifty experts and witnesses have testified in the trial, which began on April 11 of the previous year after repeated postponements dating back to 2022.