# Investigation into death of Polish activist in Ecuador

> Live situation record from CLSTR: https://clstr.news/situations/investigation-into-death-of-polish-activist-in-ecuador
> Updated: 2026-09-09T03:32:45.000Z. Sources: 4. Developments: 2.

Monika Silva Veras, a Polish anti-corruption activist and former president of the La Integridad Foundation, was found dead in June in the Santa Elena region of Ecuador. While initial suggestions pointed to suicide, forensic reports later confirmed her death was caused by strangulation and a blow to the head, leading investigators to treat the case as a suspected femicide.

Efforts to repatriate Silva’s body to Poland faced delays due to legal and bureaucratic disputes in Ecuador. Activists protested after authorities reportedly refused to release the body despite legal power of attorney being granted by the victim’s mother. 

Following these developments, the Polish District Prosecutor's Office in Olsztyn decided to repatriate the body to Poland for a second autopsy. Specialists from the Medical University of Gdańsk will perform the examination to assist the ongoing investigation. Polish authorities are maintaining cooperation with Ecuadorian investigators through the exchange of materials and video conferences.

## Timeline

### 2026-09-09: Monika Silva's body repatriation delayed in Ecuador

The repatriation of Polish activist Monika Silva's body to Poland has been stalled in Ecuador due to legal disputes regarding documentation, despite forensic evidence indicating her death was a femicide.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/monika-silvas-body-repatriation-delayed-in-ecuador

### 2026-08-31: Monika Silva Veras's body to be returned to Poland for autopsy

Polish prosecutors are repatriating the body of Monika Silva Veras, a whistleblower murdered in Ecuador, to Poland for a secondary autopsy by specialists in Gdańsk.

2 sources. https://clstr.news/cluster/monika-silva-verass-body-to-be-returned-to-poland-for-autopsy

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Cite as: Investigation into death of Polish activist in Ecuador. CLSTR, https://clstr.news/situations/investigation-into-death-of-polish-activist-in-ecuador
