Judge’s order sends Vice President Glas to jail

A national court judge ordered the arrest and jailing of Ecuador Vice President Jorge Glas Monday afternoon. The order follows the recommendation of Attorney General Carlos Baca that Glas be committed to pre-trial detention.

Vice President Jorge Glas

Glas was booked into the El Condado correctional facility, north of Quito, at 11 Monday night

Baca told Jurado Monday morning that new evidence in Glas’ charge of illegal association justified the jailing. He also said that new, more serious charges, including accepting bribes and money laundering, could soon follow.

Baca told the judge that 100 emails provided by the U.S. Justice Department and testimony last week by Odebrecht officials appear to connect Glas to millions of dollars in bribe money received by his uncle, Ricardo Rivera. Investigators say that Rivera received about $13 million in illegal payments from Brazilian construction company Odebrecht, much of it allegedly destined for Glas.

Following an early September hearing, Jurado ruled that Glas could remain free but was forbidden from leaving the country.

Baca also asked Jurado to order Rivera, currently under house arrest in Guayaquil, to jail. The attorney general says new evidence makes Rivera is a flight risk.

Supporters of the vice president assembled outside the Quito national court building, waving signs claiming that Glas was a victim of political persecution.