World News
Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno sentenced to five years in bribery case
An Ecuadorian court convicted Lenín Moreno over bribes paid by a Chinese firm, ordering him to serve his prison sentence under house arrest.
The short version
- Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno received a five-year prison sentence and a permanent ban from public office for bribery linked to the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric project.
- Due to his age and physical disability, the 73-year-old former president will serve his sentence under house arrest.
- Several family members and former officials were also convicted as accomplices and ordered to pay restitution.
Key facts
- Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno was sentenced to five years in prison and permanently barred from public office after being found guilty of bribery.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
- Because of his age and physical disability, Moreno will serve his sentence under house arrest.[Associated Press]
- Prosecutors alleged that Chinese state-owned firm Sinohydro paid about $76.1 million in bribes between 2009 and 2018 for the Coca Codo Sinclair plant contract, with over $1 million going to Moreno and his close relatives while he was vice president.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
- Moreno's wife, daughter, and two brothers were among several relatives convicted as accomplices and sentenced to 30 months in prison.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]
- Cai Runguo, China's former ambassador to Quito, received a five-year prison sentence in connection with the case.[Al Jazeera]
- The court ordered convicted individuals to repay triple the illicit amounts received within 90 days.[Associated Press]
- Moreno denied the allegations, stating he did not sign or oversee contracts for the project.[Al Jazeera]
What remains uncertain
- It is not specified whether Moreno or his co-defendants plan to appeal the court's ruling or sentences.[Al Jazeera · Associated Press]