[ad_1]
It is a preparatory hearing in the capital of Ecuador, Quito. A judge must evaluate the evidence and decide whether there are sufficient reasons to prosecute Ola Bini.
Bini’s lawyer, Carlos Soria, claims that several of the Swede’s rights have been violated during the process and believes that the detention is arbitrary.
– We hope that Ola Bini is canceled. It does not matter if it is done invalidating the entire process or because there is no evidence, because in reality there is no such thing, says Carlos Soria to the Spanish news agency Efe.
But expectations for the audience are low, he admits, because according to him, the legal process has been politically motivated from the beginning.
Meet Julian Assange
Ola Bini is an acquaintance of Wikileaks founder Julian Assange and was arrested in Quito in April 2019, just hours after Ecuador removed Assange’s asylum at the country’s embassy in London.
Bini is suspected of having gained access to computer and telecommunications systems without permission, a crime that may result in prison. The preparatory court hearing against him has been postponed several times on short notice. The Swede was detained for the first time for just over two months, before being released, but is subject to a travel ban and must report to the prosecutor every week.
– It does not feel very good, no, says his father Dag Gustafsson to Expressen.
Get help from the Ministry of Foreign Affairs
The newspaper has spoken with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA), which says that the Swedish embassy in Colombia has contact with Ola Bini and is following his case.
– In our contacts with Ecuadorian authorities, we emphasize the importance of respecting the rule of law and we have also asked for clarifications about the ongoing legal process, Alexander Peyre Dutrey from the Foreign Ministry’s communications unit tells Expressen.
