[ad_1]
For 68 days, Ola Bini slept in a cardboard box in the Ecuadorian prison El Inca in the capital Quito. In his ward, about 90 prisoners shared twelve mattresses.
The prison is described as one of the best in the country, but the standard is low.
– He’s affected by this. It was an experience that caused him serious sleep problems and things like that, says Father Dag Gustafsson.
Since April 11, 2019, Ola Bini is suspected of having committed a crime in Ecuador. When he goes to court on Thursday, December 3, for a preliminary court hearing, it is the first time the case has been taken to court. A judge, based on the evidence presented by the parties, will assess whether the case should go to trial.
The fact that 1.5 years have already passed has had a great impact on both Ola Bini and the family.
– It’s heavy, of course. It is a yoke on our shoulders that we always carry with us, despite the fact that it has been out since June of last year. He can move and work, says the father.
Ten months have passed since the family visited him, due to the crown.
Ola Bini lives with restrictions. He has to report to the prosecutor every week, he is not allowed to leave the country and his assets have been frozen.
Suspicions against Ola Bini
According to the indictment, Ola Bini collaborated with two Russian hackers in an attempt to destabilize Ecuador. The suspicion is a data intrusion after, according to the indictment, he hacked into the computer system of the state telecommunications company CNT.
He was arrested on April 11, 2019 at the Quito airport; then he was heading to a martial arts camp in Japan.
The arrest took place the same day that Ecuador withdrew its protection from the founder of WikiLeaks, Julian Assange, with whom Ola Bini is friends. Bini is convinced that this is a political persecution and that it is not a “common legal objective”.
Wave Binis ord
Ola Bini himself has commented on the upcoming audience on Twitter.
“Unfortunately, we don’t have much hope for this preparatory court hearing. We hope that more rights will be violated and that I will have to defend myself in court.”
The Swedish Ministry of Foreign Affairs has participated and the family is in constant contact with the authority.
– This silent diplomacy as a parent is quite frustrating, you never find out in detail what you really do. The sensible side understands that this is how it should be, but you get frustrated, says Dad Dag Gustafsson.
UD: We are following the case
Alexander Peyre Dutrey from the Foreign Ministry’s communication unit says that they give Ola Bini “consular support” from Colombia.
– This means that the Swedish embassy in Bogotá is in contact with the man and is actively following his case. The embassy staff visited him on several occasions during his detention. Embassy staff have also met with him on several occasions since then and participated in the arrest and bail negotiations.
How does the Foreign Ministry see that a Swede has been suspected of a crime for so long without a hearing?
– In our contacts with the Ecuadorian authorities, we emphasize the importance of respecting the principles of the rule of law and have also requested clarification on the ongoing legal process.
Will the Ministry of Foreign Affairs participate in the preparatory court hearing?
– The embassy plans to be represented at the court hearing.
2019 reports: The Swede was arrested at the Ecuador airport.
