(IPYS/IFEX) – On 22 September 2003, columnist Rodrigo Fierro Benítez, of the Quito-based daily “El Comercio”, filed an appeal of the sentence handed down to him by the first instance court for allegedly insulting former president León Febres Cordero. The sentence of six months in prison and payment of US$1,000 to the plaintiff’s lawyer has […]
(IPYS/IFEX) – On 22 September 2003, columnist Rodrigo Fierro Benítez, of the Quito-based daily “El Comercio”, filed an appeal of the sentence handed down to him by the first instance court for allegedly insulting former president León Febres Cordero.
The sentence of six months in prison and payment of US$1,000 to the plaintiff’s lawyer has been suspended while the appeal is being processed.
On 29 May, Fierro, a former health minister, experienced investigator on health topics and winner of several national and international awards, wrote an article entitled “Febres Cordero in his place”. In the article, Fierro criticised the former president for partisan political interference in the judiciary and accused him of being a contributing factor in Ecuadorian bank failures. The former president subsequently sued Fierro
The case was initially assigned to the head of the Third Criminal Court, Luis Fernández, who went on vacation and was later assigned to a new position. The case was subsequently handed to Judge Luis Mora.
Mora is alleged to have links to the Social Christian Party (Partido Social Cristiano, PSC), whose leader is former president Febres Cordero. He has also been a congressional advisor and has handled cases involving supporters or former members of the PSC.
The appeal that Fierro filed on 22 September will be heard by Quito Superior Court President Fabián Jaramillo.
