Ecuador ex-president given asylum

Mr Gutierrez maintains he was illegally ousted

The former president of Ecuador, Lucio Gutierrez, has been granted asylum in Colombia, easing fears that he might return home to face prosecution.

Mr Gutierrez was ousted as president of Ecuador in April and faces charges of damaging the security of his country.

He arrived in Colombia in September after spending time in the US and Peru.

Three of Mr Gutierrez's companions, who had been received 90-day safe conduct passes in Colombia, were also granted asylum, officials in Bogota said.

Mr Gutierrez was reportedly told at Bogota airport on 21 September that there was an international warrant for his arrest.

Succession argument

He was ousted by Ecuador's congress after his dissolution of the country's Supreme Court sparked mass protests.

"This is recognition by the Colombian government and its people of the institution of asylum," said Patricio Zuquilanda, a former foreign minister of Ecuador who is accompanying Mr Gutierrez in Bogota.

He added that Mr Gutierrez, who still regards himself as Ecuador's elected president, hopes to return to the country soon.

Mr Gutierrez's successor, Alfredo Palacio, has in the past defended the legitimacy of his government, saying that congress' decision to sack the president was constitutional.