Joffre Jose Valencia Mero et al v. Ecuador (Admissibility Decision) IACHR (10 October 2003) Report No. 64/03

Joffre Jose Valencia Mero and his two daughters (named in the case) were arrested and detained on suspicion of drug trafficking while at the residence of his son in law who was the target of the police raid.  The arrest was not conducted en flagrante and was not pursuant to a judicial warrant.  The were held incommunicado for 12 days, during which time they were subject to various forms of inhuman treatment including verbal and physical abuse, death threats and food restrictions.  In total, the family was detained for over 5 years pre-trial detention without the possibility of release because of the nature of their suspected crime (drug related).  Their cases were dismissed and each were acquitted of the charges one year after dismissal.  Attempts by the family to obtain compensation for the arbitrary detention were unresolved by the State.  The Commission held the case to be admissible for consideration.