Ecuador denounces EU meddling

Ecuador denounced yesterday Thursday a "serious interference" in its affairs on the part of the European Union (EU), to express this concern at a criminal trial of President Rafael Correa against the newspaper El Universo, in the middle of the dialogue to negotiate a trade agreement.

Ecuadorian Minister Ricardo Patiño referred to statements by the head of the EU diplomacy, Catherine Ashton, on the case of the universe, and asserted that "they constitute a serious interference in the internal affairs of the Ecuador and regrettable disrespect of an official of the European Union, calling into question the institutional framework of our country".

"Why is a meddling in internal affairs?" "Because it implies the intention to interfere in the administration of Justice", said the diplomat.

Three executives and a former editor of the opinion of the universe were sentenced on appeal to three years in prison and the solidarity payment of 40 million u000adollars in a trial by slander presented by strap in March 2011, following a column in which according to the ruler were accuses him of "killer of humanity".

Criticism of trial
trial of the universe has been criticized by various organizations defending human rights and freedom of expression, as Human Rights Watch (HRW) and the World Association of newspapers and news publishers.

Ashton argued before Parliament that if in an appeal brought by the newspaper, which is yet to be analyzed, the Supreme Court Justice Ecuador reversed what "has been done, then it will have reached the solution through a judicial process," the Ecuadorian Chancellor spoke Thursday. But Ashton also pointed out that "if they don't, then we see what diplomatic management measures do" in relation to the cooperation agreement between the EU and Ecuador, as explained u000aPatiño.

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