Ecuadorian President Thrown Stones, Broken Car Glass Allegedly Due To Shots

One of the cars convoying the vehicle of the President of Ecuador, Daniel Noboa. (X@DanielNoboa Ok)

JAKARTA - Ecuadorian President Daniel Noboa was the target of stone throwing from demonstrators protesting the increase in fuel oil prices (BBM).

This incident occurred during the convoy of presidential cars that Noboa was traveling in to the inauguration of a water treatment plant in central Ecuador on October 7 local time.

About 500 people came and threw stones at him, and obviously there were bullet marks in the president's car as well, said Ecuador's Environment Minister, Ines Manzano, Wednesday, October 8, quoted from AFP.

He said as many as five people were arrested after the incident. They will be dragged to the court on charges of terrorism a violation with a maximum sentence of 30 years in prison.

"This kind of protest, which is not peaceful, is not what we need," added Manzano.

The video released by the Government of Ecuador shows the convoy of President Noboa's cars. Meanwhile, protesters who were on the road around the convoy gathered large stones and bricks.

When the presidential SUV passed in front of the protesters, a stone throw ensued, followed by projectiles hitting the panel and breaking the window.

"Head down! Head down!" the sound of people screaming as the motorcade of the presidential car shot away.

Officials said they were still investigating whether some of the impact marks on Noboa's armored Suburban Chevrolet were caused by gunfire.