This Friday, the Legislative Oversight Committee expects the virtual appearance of anti-corruption judge Carlos Serrano, who accused Godoy of pressuring him to issue a favorable ruling for Serbian national Jezdimir Srdan in a money laundering case.

Godoy is accused by the Citizen Revolution (RC) party of failing to fulfill his duties by not guaranteeing judicial independence and promoting transparency in the administration of justice.

RC legislator Viviana Veloz argued that the defendant should not remain in office, as he allegedly allowed “the infiltration of drug trafficking and the perpetuation of impunity.”

Veloz warned that keeping him in office would imply pressure on judges to favor criminal organizations.

Currently, the Oversight Committee, controlled by the ruling party, is in the phase of receiving testimonies and analyzing the submitted documentation in order to prepare a report recommending whether or not to impeach the official to the full parliament.

In the streets, citizen groups are supporting the removal of the head of the Judiciary Council, the body responsible for administering the judicial function in Ecuador. This body is in charge of the selection, evaluation, and sanctioning of judges and prosecutors, as well as the disciplinary management of the justice system.

This Thursday, organizations from the Popular Front gathered outside the Judiciary Council to demand the removal of its head, chanting slogans rejecting corruption and drug trafficking within the justice system.

“Without a clean and independent judiciary, there is no democracy or rights,” stated the National Union of Educators.

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