An Ecuadorean judge on Wednesday ordered the release of five people who had been detained a day earlier after stones were thrown at President Daniel Noboa’s convoy, according to one of the defence lawyers.
The judge ruled that their detention was illegal and violated due process, lawyer Yaku Pérez told Reuters. “The state once again demonstrates its excessive use of force, contrary to the constitutional rule of rights and justice,” Pérez said.
The government had initially accused the five of attempted murder and terrorism, though prosecutors later reduced the charges to “resistance” during Wednesday’s hearing. While the judge ordered their release, the prosecutor’s office said it would continue its investigation.
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According to Pérez, four of those detained were land defenders, while his client is an artist.
President Noboa escaped unhurt on Tuesday when his convoy was attacked with stones by protesters in a rural town, cracking vehicle windows as it sped past.
The government has described the incident as an assassination attempt. However, Indigenous groups that organised the roadblock blamed the authorities for the violence, accusing police and soldiers of attacking demonstrators.
Indigenous and other civil groups have been staging nationwide protests since last month after Noboa’s government scrapped a consumer diesel subsidy. The demonstrations have since spread across several provinces, prompting the president to declare a state of emergency.
