They arrest an Argentine in Ecuador for breaking the curfew – News

An Argentine tourist was arrested in Ecuador for being on the street during the government-imposed curfew in the midst of protests against measures of economic adjustment. His next release was pending, Wednesday revealed the consulate of Argentina in Guayaquil.

The Argentine citizen Federico Molina was arrested last Wednesday in Cuenca, while he was on the street a few blocks from his home, said consul Paula Casado Sastre during a telephone interview with Télam.

Molina was captured 15 minutes after the curfew imposed by President Lenin Moreno began to prevail amid protests that the country has experienced until last Sunday.

The diplomat said that Molina was housed in the regional rehabilitation center Sierra Centro Sur in Cuenca and that, at the request of the defense, she had managed to be transferred from one common cell to another in which she was alone. .

The consul pointed out that "the authorities of Ecuador were operating in accordance with the law and reported from the outset" what had happened.

He explained that Molina "was in Cuenca with his German girlfriend when the revolt took place and that the state of emergency was put into effect".

Molina was apprehended at the door of the hostel (Photo: TN)

Tuesday, last week, Moreno imposed by decree a curfew, a restriction of mobility throughout the country after 8 pm, lifted on Monday following the agreement between the government and social organizations.

"The restriction of mobility applied to sensitive areas, such as public buildings," said the consul, stating that Molina "was staying in an inn located two blocks from the IESS building. (Ecuadorian Institute of Social Security), when he was hungry and went out to do grocery shopping. "

"Federico left, took his usual route and crossed the IESS building" and 15 minutes after the curfew, he was arrested "in a state of flagrante delicto".

Casado Sastre explained that "the executive decree sets up an offense and not a criminal offense" and added that Molina "went to an area where he could not but was not in any protest situation or resisted arrest" .

Once arrested, police authorities contacted the Argentine Consulate, to which they sent a letter.

"We spoke with Federico before and after the first hearing on October 10, when it was a very difficult time, as the strike continued," said the official.

"At first, the possibility of being released immediately had been considered, since it was a contravention, but the prosecutor asked him to have a precautionary measure of 30 days for the background check, "he added.

However, "we learned that due process was underway and we talked to his public defender," who is now pleading for the prosecutor not to open the case and that Molina could be released as soon as possible, continued the consul.

Casado Sastre explained that "there is not yet a formal charge of the prosecutor's office and it is requested that he abstain from closing the process." , he speaks with the judge to reveal the extent, but the most appropriate is that the prosecution does not complain. "

"All the elements are gathered so that the case can be filed, it is shown that Federico was in the transit city, as a tourist and that he had no criminal record in Argentina "said the consul.

The official added that the relatives of Molina will be received tomorrow by officials of the Consular Affairs Bureau of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in Buenos Aires.

One of the young man's sisters told TN They had lost contact since last Friday.