Ecuadorian judge orders Luisa González held during investigation
An Ecuadorian judge ordered former presidential candidate Luisa González held in pre-trial detention, a day after her arrest. The judicial order extends her custody during a money-laundering investigation involving funds for advertising in the 2023 presidential campaign. González denies wrongdoing and alleges political persecution. The decision does not determine guilt on the campaign-finance allegations.
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A judge orders González to remain in custody
An Ecuadorian judge ordered former presidential candidate Luisa González held in pre-trial detention on 23 October. The judicial decision keeps the opposition politician in custody during the investigation, following her police arrest the previous day.[1], [2]
The money-laundering inquiry concerns approximately 500,000 dollars used for advertising during the 2023 early presidential election campaign. Prosecutors allege that funds may have come from unlawful activity. Pre-trial detention does not settle those allegations or establish that the money was criminal proceeds. González denies wrongdoing.[1]
The court decision follows the Canuto arrest
González had been arrested in Canuto, Ecuador, the previous day. The new order came after a charging hearing affected by technical delays. González, Santiago Díaz and Wendy Onofre received pre-trial detention orders, according to Primicias, an independent Ecuadorian outlet. Investigators were also examining alleged links between the funds and companies trading hydrocarbons.[1]
González and her party allege political persecution
A lawyer and former legislator, González is a leading figure in Citizen Revolution, the Ecuadorian political movement allied with former President Rafael Correa. She contested presidential elections against Daniel Noboa. González, Correa and the movement describe the proceedings as political persecution. Party president Gabriela Rivadeneira criticised the government’s treatment of the opposition at a Thursday news conference.[1]
