Iran Press/ America: Fernando Villavicencio, a former lawmaker and crusading anti-corruption journalist, was gunned down leaving a campaign event on Wednesday evening, less than two weeks before the election.
The murder was a shocking example of rising violence and crime in the South American country and led some voters to weigh whether they will go the polls on Aug. 20 or not. It has made an unsettled election even harder to forecast.
Villavicencio's body was released to two family representatives, including his lawyer, on Thursday, according to the attorney general's office.
Some family members are believed to be outside Ecuador and traveling back for the funeral. Villavicencio's family has so far kept his wake private.
Supporters clad in white gathered at events in Quito, Guayaquil and Cuenca on Thursday afternoon in honor of the slain candidate, with more memorial events expected for Friday.
Shooting Tragedy
A state of emergency has been declared in Ecuador after the killing of the presidential candidate during a campaign rally in the capital Quito.
Villavicencio was gunned down as he was getting into a car after attending his campaign event.
Officials say nine people were also injured in the shooting incident. The country's attorney general says one suspect later died of injuries he sustained during the shoot-out.
Police have not commented on the motive behind the incident. They have, however, arrested six people in connection with the killing of Villavicencio who was a vocal critic of corruption and organized crime.
President Guillermo Laso called the incident a "political crime with the character of terrorism." Lasso said that voting for a new president will go ahead as planned on August 20th.
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