An Ecuadorian judge was shot and killed while travelling to the gym without security protection, authorities said.
Judge Killed in Broad Daylight
Judge Lady Gissela Pachar Huanga was fatally shot on May 11 in Machala, a city in Ecuador’s El Oro province.
Officials said she was travelling in a car on her way to the gym when the attack happened.
Authorities Condemn Attack
Ecuador’s Council of the Judiciary described the killing as a serious attack on the country’s justice system and rule of law.
The council said Pachar worked as a judge in the criminal judicial unit.
Judge Had Previously Received Threats
According to reports, the judge had previously received threats and had been assigned protective measures.
However, officials said those protections were not active at the time of the shooting.
Growing Violence Against Legal Officials
The judiciary council called for a full investigation to identify those responsible.
Reports citing Human Rights Watch stated that at least 16 judges and prosecutors have been killed in Ecuador since 2022.
