Ecuador: Detained VP Sites Conflict of Interest Among Judges

Lawyers representing detained Ecuadorean Vice President Jorge Glas await a resolution over a petition to change the judges who will lead the trial for alleged corruption against the politician, citing a conflict of interest.

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The National Court of Justice has begun hearings against Glas and 12 others accused of illegal association in the Odebrecht corruption ring.

Glas' defense filed a challenge request against Judge Sylvia Sanchez and Judge Edgar Flores, both of whom were set to hear the charges.

Eduardo Franco, Glas' main attorney, said Sanchez maintains a conflict of interest that prevents her from being a judge in the court since she is married to a high official of the Attorney General's Office: Santiago Andrade.

Franco is demanding the immediate appointment of two additional members to the court.

"We are not asking for the suspension of due diligence because, obviously, the law establishes that now," Franco said.

"In the afternoon, possibly, this will be sorted out and hopefully new, independent judges will be placed."

Franco visited Prison 4, where Glas is held under pre-trial detention, and said the vice president is calm. However, the attorney is worried about him being detained in an arbitrary way.

He said that in order to resolve the appeal, the court should decide on the request and elect new members for the trial expected to open on Friday.