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Ecuador begins landmark trial of crimes against humanity Ecuador begins landmark trial of crimes against humanity
(35 minutes later)
A court in Ecuador has begun hearings into the country's first-ever trial of alleged crimes against humanity.A court in Ecuador has begun hearings into the country's first-ever trial of alleged crimes against humanity.
Chief prosecutor Galo Chiriboga has requested that 10 army and police officers be put under house arrest.Chief prosecutor Galo Chiriboga has requested that 10 army and police officers be put under house arrest.
They are accused of torture, sexual violence and the abduction of three opponents of the government in 1985.They are accused of torture, sexual violence and the abduction of three opponents of the government in 1985.
The alleged crimes took place during the government of late President Leon Febres Cordero, who was in power between 1984 and 1988.The alleged crimes took place during the government of late President Leon Febres Cordero, who was in power between 1984 and 1988.
Mr Chiriboga also requested that the assets of the 10 retired officers - five army colonels, four army generals and one police general - be frozen .Mr Chiriboga also requested that the assets of the 10 retired officers - five army colonels, four army generals and one police general - be frozen .
The three victims - Susana Cajas, Javier Jarrin and Luis Vaca - will appear in court next week to give details of their ordeal.The three victims - Susana Cajas, Javier Jarrin and Luis Vaca - will appear in court next week to give details of their ordeal.
They were detained for alleged links with an illegal rebel group, the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces.They were detained for alleged links with an illegal rebel group, the Eloy Alfaro Popular Armed Forces.
'Tortured and beaten''Tortured and beaten'
Sitting in court next to Ms Cajas and Mr Vaca, Mr Chiriboga denounced the cruelty of the crimes committed 18 years ago. Sitting in court next to Ms Cajas and Mr Vaca, Mr Chiriboga denounced the cruelty of the crimes committed 28 years ago.
"They were tortured, beaten, and submitted to particularly sadistic forms of torture, including electric shocks to their genitals" he said."They were tortured, beaten, and submitted to particularly sadistic forms of torture, including electric shocks to their genitals" he said.
Defence lawyers at Quito's National Court of Justice have asked the prosecutor to clarify his accusations.Defence lawyers at Quito's National Court of Justice have asked the prosecutor to clarify his accusations.
Lawyers, politicians and human rights activists from other Latin American countries were at the National Court of Justice in the capital, Quito, for the landmark trial.Lawyers, politicians and human rights activists from other Latin American countries were at the National Court of Justice in the capital, Quito, for the landmark trial.
Among them was Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.Among them was Ecuadorean Foreign Minister Ricardo Patino.
The director of the Prosecutor's Office Truth Commission, Fidel Jaramillo, said crimes against humanity only began to be investigated in 2007, when left-wing President Rafael Correa came into power.The director of the Prosecutor's Office Truth Commission, Fidel Jaramillo, said crimes against humanity only began to be investigated in 2007, when left-wing President Rafael Correa came into power.
"They were never tried in Ecuador because there was never the political will to do so," the director of , Mr Jaramillo told the Efe news agency."They were never tried in Ecuador because there was never the political will to do so," the director of , Mr Jaramillo told the Efe news agency.