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Ecuador: Public prosecutor Marco Vargas from Ambato, Tungurahua; his conversion to Islam, any multiple marriages under Islamic laws, and a scandal that forced him from office in late February 2002

A series of articles reported an unfolding political scandal revolving around public prosecutor Marco Vargas that led to a suspension of his duties in May 2002 (La Hora 11 May 2002; ibid. 14 May 2002; ibid. 16 May 2002; El Comercio 14 May 2002).

According to El Comercio, public prosecutor (fiscal) Marco Vargas ordered that the Mayor of Ambato and his staff be charged with "premeditated homicide" (homocido preterintencional) in relation to the death of municipal police officer Rafael Chiliquinga during a training exercise (ibid.). More specifically, Vargas requested "preventive prison" (prision preventiva) for Fernando Callejas, the Mayor of Ambato; Mario Baez of the Security Project 101 (Proyecto de Seguridad 101); Luis Yepez and Manuel Zurita, instructors; and Adriana Reinoso, coordinator of the mayor's office (alcaldia) (ibid.). Moreover, La Hora stated that the Directorate of Investigations of the Public Prosecutor's Office (Direccion General de Investigacion de la Fiscalia General) would investigate accusations that Vargas had proceeded illegally in petitioning the "prosecution orders" (instruccion fiscal) against the Mayor and his staff (11 May 2002).

In an article of 14 May 2002 in La Hora, council member Carolina Garces, claimed that the charges against the Mayor were politically motivated and were aimed at discrediting the mayor. Futhermore, the 11 May 2002 La Hora article stated that Vargas had the support of the Christian Social Party (Partido Social Cristiano, PSC) when he made these accusations.

A 16 May 2002 report in La Hora stated that public prosecutor Vargas had been suspended after an investigation by the Public Ministry (Ministerio Publico). Details of the suspension indicate that Vargas had proceeded illegally in his prosecution orders (La Hora 16 May 2002).

No further mention of the suspension of public prosecutor Marco Vargas could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

No information about public prosecutor Marco Vargas's religious practices or potential marriages could be found among the sources consulted by the Research Directorate.

This Response was prepared after researching publicly accessible information currently available to the Research Directorate within time constraints. This Response is not, and does not purport to be, conclusive as to the merit of any particular claim to refugee status or asylum. Please find below the list of additional sources consulted in researching this Information Request.

References

El Comercio [Quito]. 14 May 2002. "Ambato: el caso Chiliquinga en investigacion." <http://www.elcomercio.com/noticias.asp?noid=24527&hl=true> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2002]

La Hora [Quito]. 16 May 2002. "Fiscal Vargas suspendido." <http://www.lahora.com.ec/noticiacompleta.asp?noid=90634> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2002]

____. 14 May 2002. "Concejales de mayoria emiten respaldo a Alcalde." <http://www.lahora.com.ec/noticiacompleta.asp?noid=90190> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2002]

____. 11 May 2002. "Juicio contra Alcalde trae cola: Procesado el Fiscal." <http://www.lahora.com.ec/noticiacompleta.asp?noid=89812> [Accessed 15 Nov. 2002]

Additional Sources Consulted

IRB databases

Internet sites:

Diario Hoy [Quito]

Ecuador, Ministerio de Gobierno y Policia

Ecuador, Ministerio Publico del Ecuador (MINPEC)

Ecudaor, Procuraduria General del Estado (PGE)

El Mercurio [Cuenca]

El Universo [Guayaquil]

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Topics: Forced marriage,