Ecuador.- Former President of Ecuador Lenín Moreno, who governed between 2017 and 2021, was found guilty of the crime of bribery for his participation in a bribery scheme related to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric plant by the Chinese state-owned company Sinohydro.
The decision was adopted by judges of the National Court of Justice (CNJ), who determined that Moreno received benefits to favor the company when he served as vice president during the government of Rafael Correa.
The former president’s wife, Rocío González, and his daughter Irina Moreno were also found guilty of bribery as accomplices.
The magistrates pointed out that the Chinese company made millionaire payments to a business circle and that subsequently part of those resources was distributed among different companies and individuals, including members of Moreno’s family.
You can also read: Former President of Ecuador Lenín Moreno denies bribes
Prosecutor requested six years and six months in prison
The specific sentence against Moreno had not yet been announced by the judges. The Prosecutor’s Office previously requested a sentence of six years and six months in prison for the former president as well as his wife, his daughter, and other defendants.
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According to the Public Prosecutor’s Office, Sinohydro allegedly paid around US$76 million in bribes related to the construction of Coca Codo Sinclair, a hydroelectric plant with a capacity of up to 1,500 megawatts located in the Ecuadorian Amazon.
The accusation maintains that Moreno and his family circle allegedly received more than a million dollars within the alleged scheme.
The judges considered that Moreno used his position as vice president to intervene in matters that were outside his jurisdiction for the purpose of favoring Sinohydro, obtaining benefits indirectly through third parties.
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Among the resources specifically attributed to the former president’s circle are US$660,000, distributed among Moreno, his wife, and other relatives. According to the indictment, US$220,000 allegedly benefited the former president and his wife through a home and furniture.
Moreno rejects the accusations
During the process, Moreno denied having received money from Sinohydro and asserted that he did not carry out any actions related to the awarding or execution of the project.
“I have not received a single cent from Sinohydro”, maintained the former ruler, who attended the hearing in person and stated that he wanted to “face the music”.
Moreno also described the judicial process as an alleged “revenge” promoted by former president Rafael Correa and argued that it was during that administration when the agreements to develop the hydroelectric project were signed.
In addition to prison sentences, the Prosecutor’s Office requested disqualification from holding public office, suspension of participation rights, fines, and the payment of comprehensive reparations for the defendants.
Investigation began after journalistic publication
The so-called Sinohydro case began to gain public relevance in 2019, following an investigation by the Ecuadorian portal La Fuente that linked a brother of Moreno to alleged accounts in tax havens and a property in Alicante, Spain.
The revelations subsequently led to investigations into alleged bribes and financial operations linked to INA Investment and the family circle of the then-president.
The court continued with the individualization of the responsibilities of the defendants to determine the corresponding criminal consequences for each one.
