The meeting began after 10:30 a.m. this Sunday, April 24, and lasted until almost 3:00 p.m. Representatives from various State agencies participated: the Prosecutor’s Office, the National Court of Justice (CNJ) and the Judicial Council (CJ), all convened by the President of the Republic, Guillermo Lasso, who said he was concerned about “judicial abuses.”
This, in days when the justice administration system has granted habeas corpus, legal recourse, to political figures and leaders of criminal gangs related to illegal activities in investigation processes.
National Court of Justice requests suspension and investigations of judges who gave ‘habeas corpus’ to Jorge Glas and the leader of Los Choneros
The statements to the press were given at the end of this appointment in which the president insisted on his respect for the independence of the functions of the State.
What were the resolutions?
Ivan Saquicela, president of the National Court of Justice, mentioned that the habeas corpus has been “abused” and that is why the dialogue with the president of the Judicial Council decided to address a request to the Constitutional Court (CC) under the following principle:
– That the figure of habeas corpus it cannot be perverted in favor of impunity for drug traffickers, corrupt politicians or members of organized crime. Given this, these are the actions:
1.- Request that via jurisprudence the habeas corpus to eliminate discretionary elements that give way to abuse.
2.- That the precedent that prevents judges from initiating criminal proceedings in acts of corruption be reversed.
3.- That the limits of the disciplinary power of the Council of the Judiciary be reviewed.
Saquicela mentioned that this request is framed in the Law.
“We are spokespersons for the concern, for the indignation of Ecuadorians,” the official mentioned in relation to the recent events. He took advantage of the occasion to send a message to judicial officials: that these are the ones called to not allow organized crime and corruption cases, to do justice and not to commit irregular acts.
He also said that the State is concerned about the global situation, not specific cases.
judiciary Council
Fausto Murillo, president of the Council of the Judiciary, also announced the requirements of said instance to contribute to a better justice administration system:
1.- That the CJ be restored the power to act ex officio when there are cases of manifest negligence. Start disciplinary proceedings ex officio, he said.
‘What I resolved, I resolved in accordance with the law,’ says judge Pedro Moreira, who granted ‘habeas corpus’ to alias ‘Júnior’, one of the leaders of Los Choneros
2.- He called on the judges of superior courts and higher courts to exercise their disciplinary power, the corrective power of a superior judge against a lower judge cannot give up, he maintained.
At the end of the interventions, President Lasso thanked the different actors of the system for their participation, since he maintained that they all share the same concern.
Other officials who participated in the meeting were: Francisco Jiménez, Minister of Government; Pablo Arosemena, Governor of Guayas; Luis Hernández, Minister of Defense; María Josefa Coronel, provincial director of the Judiciary of Guayas; Diana Salazar, Attorney General of the Nation and Patricio Carrillo, Minister of the Interior.
Recent habeas corpus grants
In Manglaralto (Santa Elena canton), judges Érika Moriel and Diego Moscoso gave way to the release of former Vice President Jorge Glas, sentenced for bribery, and Dutch citizen Vokshi N., who had a red notice from Interpol, as he is required by countries Low for drug trafficking.
In addition, Judge Pedro Moreira granted house arrest to Júnior Roldán, alias Júnior, one of the leaders of Los Choneros, sentenced for murder and other crimes.
The different instances of the State expressed their concern about these judicial decisions and for this reason the appointment was given to find solutions and proposals that allow defending the Rule of Law with unrestricted adherence and respect for the independence of functions enshrined in the Constitution, according to the Executive . (I)
Source: Eluniverso
Mario Twitchell is an accomplished author and journalist, known for his insightful and thought-provoking writing on a wide range of topics including general and opinion. He currently works as a writer at 247 news agency, where he has established himself as a respected voice in the industry.
