Former Vice President of Ecuador, Jorge Glas, has commenced a hunger strike at La Roca prison in Guayaquil.
This action follows his arrest linked to an incident at the Mexican Embassy in Quito.
During a video call, Glas’s lawyer, Sonia Vera, detailed his claims of harsh treatment by police during his arrest, including allegations of being beaten.
These reported abuses led to Glas collapsing later from the injuries he sustained.
Reports from Ecuador’s prison authority, confirm that Glas was hospitalized on Monday as a result of his refusal to eat.
Police records also suggest that Glas experienced an overdose from a mix of anxiety medications, antidepressants, and sedatives.
Currently held under tight security, Glas is set for a court hearing on April 11.
Former Ecuadorian VP Jorge Glas on Hunger Strike Amid Legal Turmoil
At this hearing, his legal team will argue for habeas corpus, contesting the legality of his detention and citing his status as a political asylum seeker granted by Mexico.
Glas sought refuge in the Mexican Embassy last Christmas to avoid testifying in a peculation case.
This case involved the misallocation of funds designated for earthquake reconstruction efforts in 2016.
This marks the third corruption charge against him, following a prior five-year prison sentence.
The embassy incident sparked international criticism of Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa, though domestically he received praise.
He faces accusations of violating international diplomatic protocols.
Glas’s legal challenges and his claim for political asylum underscore deep tensions in Ecuador’s political scene.
These issues mirror wider concerns about governance and judicial fairness in the region.