Ecuador’s former president Lenin Moreno to stand trial on bribery charges tied to Chinese dam deal

Former Ecuadorian president Lenin Moreno is headed to trial over allegations he took bribes linked to the construction of the country’s largest hydroelectric plant. Judge Olavo Hernandez ruled Monday that prosecutors may proceed with their case, marking a major turn in a corruption probe that has trailed Moreno for years.

“This judge resolves to bring citizen Lenin Moreno to trial as the direct perpetrator of the crime of bribery,” Hernandez said.

The case centres on the Coca Codo Sinclair power plant, built by Chinese firm Sinohydro. Prosecutors allege that from 2009 to 2018, the company paid about $76m in bribes in exchange for preferential treatment and contract approvals. They say the scheme began when Moreno was vice president and later continued during his presidency. Prosecutors claim his family had business ties to Sinohydro, operating what former Attorney General Diana Salazar called a “corruption network” that disguised payments as consulting work through gifts, checks and transfers.

Moreno, who lives in Paraguay, denies wrongdoing. In a video message, he said he has already submitted evidence proving he received “not a single cent”.

“Let’s not allow such a great injustice to be committed,” he urged supporters.

Coca Codo Sinclair has been mired in controversy since opening in 2016, plagued by structural problems and cracks, and overshadowed by Ecuador’s massive Chinese loans, estimated at nearly $19bn for this and other projects.