UN expert alarmed over allegations Ecuador ex-VP Jorge Glas tortured

United Nations special rapporteur for torture Alice Edwards said on Thursday she is alarmed over allegations that Ecuador's former Vice President Jorge Glas was suffering torture while detained at the Andean country's La Roca prison.

"I am disturbed by medical and other reports which suggest that Mr. Glas was subjected to torture, including dislocated thumbs, lacerations on his wrists from the over-use of handcuffs, and contusions and bruising on his arms, thighs and thorax, indicative of physical beatings," she said in a statement.

Glas was detained in April this year after Ecuadorean security forces stormed Mexico's embassy in Quito, where he was holed up after seeking asylum. While Glas' supporters say the arrest is politically motivated, the ex-vice president has been convicted for corruption on two other occasions. Glas' lawyer said on X it was urgent his rights and well-being were protected.