A court in Ecuador has found former President Lenín Moreno Garcés, aged 73, guilty of bribery and sentenced him to five years in prison. The ruling also permanently bans him from holding any public office, as the country's prosecutor's office announced on Friday.
The verdict is part of the so-called Sinohydro case, associated with the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant, Ecuador's largest, awarded to the Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro.
Presiding Judge Manuel Cabrera was clear in delivering the verdict: "The actions of Lenín Moreno Garcés align with the charges presented by the Prosecutor's Office, the crime of bribery attributed to the public servant as a direct author."
The court concluded that Moreno, during his tenure as Vice President under Rafael Correa from 2007 to 2013, took steps to ensure the contract was awarded to Sinohydro. It was determined that he and his family received over a million dollars in bribes during that time.
Investigations revealed that Sinohydro allegedly paid a total of $76.1 million in kickbacks from 2009 to 2018, which were funneled through fraudulent consultancy contracts and transferred to offshore accounts and shell companies linked to the former president's family and business circles.
Family Members and Chinese Diplomat Also Sentenced
The sentencing also extended to several family members: Moreno's wife, daughter, two brothers, and a sister-in-law were found to be accomplices and received two years and six months in prison each. The former Chinese ambassador in Quito, Cai Runguo, was also sentenced to five years.
Given that Moreno has been using a wheelchair since 1998, following a paralysis caused by a gunshot during an assault, the court acknowledged his vulnerable condition, allowing him to serve the sentence under house arrest.
Moreno's Reaction and Legal Proceedings
The former president, who had been residing in Paraguay in recent years, returned to Ecuador for the trial and vehemently denied the charges in front of the media.
"I have not received a single penny from Sinohydro, so please don't accuse me," he declared. "I came to face this as an honorable man to prove my innocence and that of my family."
The prosecution had initially sought a sentence of six years and six months, but the court settled on five. This is a first-instance ruling, and Moreno's defense has announced plans to appeal.
Context of Corruption Cases in Ecuador
This case adds to a series of corruption trials in Ecuador linked to the Correa era. Rafael Correa himself was sentenced in 2020 to eight years in prison for bribery in the "Sobornos 2012-2016" case, and former Vice President Jorge Glas also faced corruption convictions, marking an ongoing judicial accountability process in the Andean nation.
Key Questions on Lenín Moreno's Conviction
What was Lenín Moreno convicted of?
Lenín Moreno was convicted of bribery related to the Sinohydro case, involving the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant's contract awards.
How long is Lenín Moreno's prison sentence?
He was sentenced to five years in prison.
Will Lenín Moreno serve his sentence in prison?
Due to his physical condition, he will serve his sentence under house arrest.
What is the Sinohydro case about?
The Sinohydro case involves alleged bribery in the awarding of contracts for the construction of Ecuador's largest hydroelectric plant by the Chinese company Sinohydro.