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An opposition attempt to impeach Ecuador's Vice President Jorge Glas over his alleged involvement with the Odebrecht scandal was rejected by the Council of Legislative Administration Tuesday.
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National Assembly's President Jose Serrano said in a news conference that there was not enough evidence to press for an impeachment. Five lawmakers from governing coalition Alianza Pais voted in favor of filing the case and two opposition legislators against.
The request for a political trial against Glas was presented by opposition lawmaker Roberto Gomez and signed by 59 opposition lawmakers.
Out of the 28 documents intended to provide evidence against Glas, only one was related to criminal charges. This document could not be admitted as evidence because it was obtained illegally, said Serrano.
Glas was previously accused by a fugitive former oil minister, Carlos Pareja Yanuzzelli, also known as Capaya, for his alleged involvement in the international corruption scandal involving Odebrecht, a Brazilian construction firm accused of offering bribes in exchange for government contracts.
Glas, who also served as vice president under former President Rafael Correa, has denied the allegations, claiming they are part of a smear campaign meant to influence voters ahead of the presidential elections.
In June, several companies were raided and five individuals were arrested, including Glas' uncle, as part of the ongoing investigation into the Odebrecht corruption scandal.
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