Spanish court approves extradition of Ecuadorian tied to TV station attack
FILE PHOTO: A view of the building of Ecuador's TC Television station after gunmen stormed into a studio during a live TV broadcast, in Guayaquil, Ecuador January 10, 2024. REUTERS/Vicente Gaibor del Pino/ File Photo
MADRID - Spain's High Court on Tuesday authorised the extradition of William Jofre Alcivar Bautista, accused of leading a violent attack on an Ecuadorian TV station in early 2024, provided that Ecuador guarantees his safety in custody.
Bautista, known as "Commander Willy" and alleged head of the criminal group Los Tiguerones, was arrested in Spain alongside his brother Alex in October 2024.
Ecuadorian authorities accuse the pair of orchestrating car bombings, contract killings, extortion, and a live on-air raid of TC Television's studio in Guayaquil, Ecuador's largest city - part of a wave of violence that led President Daniel Noboa to declare a war on gangs that he branded as terrorist groups.
The court rejected arguments against extradition but insisted on additional assurances from Ecuador due to concerns over violence in its prison system. His brother's extradition had been approved earlier under similar conditions.
The raid on the TV station unfolded live for about 20 minutes, as 13 masked and heavily-armed men stormed the studio, forcing staff to the floor. Police eventually rescued the hostages and the attackers surrendered. REUTERS
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