Ecuadorian justice system sentences Abdalá Bucaram and his son for medical corruption case
Ecuador’s justice system issued a resounding ruling this Monday, sentencing former president Abdalá Bucaram (1996-1997) and his son, Jacobo Bucaram, to nine years and four months in prison. Both were found guilty of the crime of organized crime, after being involved in the irregular sale of tests to detect COVID-19 and medical supplies during the 2020 health crisis.
The court determined that both the former president and his son participated as collaborators within a network that profited from the national emergency. The sentence also reached two other individuals involved, who received harsher penalties as they were considered material authors of the acts.
Details of the conviction and those involved
- Leandro Berrones: Former agent of the Metropolitan Transit Agency (AMT) of Quito, sentenced to thirteen years and four months in prison.
- Sheinman Oren: Israeli citizen, who also received a sentence of thirteen years and four months of deprivation of liberty.
The judges validated the thesis of the Attorney General’s Office, which managed to demonstrate how, between March and August 2020, the defendants were part of a criminal structure dedicated to the illicit sale of approximately 21,000 diagnostic tests and various medical supplies, obtaining undue economic benefits in the midst of the pandemic.
With this verdict, the Ecuadorian judicial system closes a relevant chapter on the corruption investigations that emerged during the most critical months of the health emergency in the country, setting a precedent in the fight against the illegal commercialization of medical supplies.
