Interpol issues international alert for nine former Ecuadorian police officers accused in 2003 Fybeca pharmacy revenge killings

Interpol has issued an international alert for nine Ecuadorian police officers convicted of extrajudicial killings in 2003. According to Interior Minister José Serrano, some of the suspects are living in the U.S.

The case stems from a police assault on a Fybeca pharmacy in Guayaquil, based on a false report of intruders in the store. The operation resulted in the death of eight while four others remain missing 11 years later.

An Ecuadorian court last week sentenced the nine in absentia, five for murder and four participating in the crime. The court concluded that the murders were revenge killings and did not involve burglary of the pharmacy.

The leader of the police operation, Eduardo Gonzalez, is believed to be living in the U.S., according to Serrano. “We expect authorities in the U.S. to realize the urgency of this case and move in a timely manner to extradite Gonzalez,” he said.

Photo caption: Interior Minister José Serrano