Former Ecuadorian president imprisoned for corruption
Former Ecuadorian president Lenín Moreno has been sentenced to five years in prison for bribery linked to the construction of a major hydroelectric dam. He will serve the sentence under house arrest because of his age and disability, and plans to appeal; the case makes him the third former Ecuadorian leader convicted of corruption.
Prosecutors said Chinese state-owned firm Sinohydro paid $76.1m (£56.2m) through shell companies to secure the Coca Codo Sinclair dam contract, with 20 people convicted including Moreno’s relatives and company representatives. Moreno denies involvement, has been barred from public office, and those convicted must repay three times the bribes received; Ecuador separately reached a $400m settlement over faults at the dam.
- Moreno receives five-year corruption sentence under house arrest
- Prosecutors allege $76.1m in dam-related bribes
- He denies wrongdoing and intends to appeal
Both sides, in good faith
The strongest fair case each way — we don't pick a winner.
The case for
A conviction can affirm that former presidents are subject to the same law as everyone else, especially where prosecutors presented evidence of substantial payments linked to a public contract and secured convictions against multiple people. Supporters of the ruling may see the prison sentence, repayment order and ban on public office as necessary accountability for alleged corruption involving public funds.
The case against
Moreno denies involvement and intends to appeal, so critics may argue that the verdict should be treated cautiously until the appeal process tests the evidence and procedure. They may also question whether responsibility for payments made through shell companies was established fairly and individually, and argue that age and disability warrant careful consideration in how any sentence is served.