Former Ecuadorian President Lenín Moreno has been sentenced to five years in prison after being convicted of accepting bribes. The 73-year-old will serve his sentence under house arrest due to his age and disability. Moreno, who led Ecuador from 2017 to 2021, has stated his intention to appeal the verdict.
A court in the capital, Quito, found Moreno and 19 others guilty of corruption charges linked to the construction of the Coca Codo Sinclair hydroelectric dam. Prosecutors alleged that Sinohydro, a Chinese state-owned firm, paid $76.1 million through shell companies to individuals involved in the deal to secure the contract for the dam's construction.
Among those sentenced were Moreno's wife, daughter, and brother, as well as representatives from Sinohydro and a former Chinese ambassador to Ecuador. While prosecutors stated Moreno himself received a small sum, family members were alleged to have received tens of thousands of dollars.
Those convicted of bribery are required to repay three times the amount they received. Moreno has also been barred from holding public office. He has denied any involvement in the alleged bribery scheme, instead pointing to former President Rafael Correa, under whom Moreno served as vice president. Correa was sentenced in a separate bribery case in 2020.
Moreno contended that Correa approved the Coca Codo Sinclair project and that he initiated an investigation into its construction issues upon assuming the presidency. The Ecuadorian government initiated legal proceedings against Sinohydro in 2021 due to reported cracks and technical failures at the dam. An agreement was reached with the firm's owner earlier this year, resulting in a $400 million settlement. Sinohydro and the Chinese embassy in Ecuador have been approached for comment.