MONTAÑITA, ECUADOR — Monika Silva Koniuszek, a 41-year-old Polish activist residing in Ecuador, was found dead in her home in Montañita in early June. Ecuador's National Police confirmed her death, and the circumstances have prompted conflicting official statements.

Jhon Reimberg, Ecuador's Minister of the Interior, stated in an interview with radio station 'América' that suicide was presumed. "Se presume un suicidio. Se encontraron en el lugar los indicios para llegar a esa determinación dentro de las primeras versiones que dio su pareja sentimental," Reimberg said. He noted that a rope and a stick were found at the scene and suggested that Silva Koniuszek supposedly suffered from depression and took medication. Reimberg later clarified that his declaration was based on a preliminary police report and added, "Además de colaborar íntegramente con los poderes del Estado a cargo de esta investigación y con la decisión de incorporar peritos internacionales. Nuestro compromiso es contribuir a que la verdad salga a la luz y que no quede ninguna duda sobre lo ocurrido."

Lita Martínez, executive director of the Centro Ecuatoriano para la Promoción y Acción de la Mujer (CEPAM) in Guayaquil, is providing legal representation and criticized the Minister's initial statements. "Las palabras del ministro fueron poco menos irresponsables y fuera de todo contexto, entendiendo que es un proceso que debe llevarse en el fuero privado bajo control y cuidado de la información que se entrega. Fue muy irresponsable con el caso, pero sobre todo con la familia, con la mamá y las hijas de Monika, al atribuir inmediatamente un suicidio," Martínez said. She reported that CEPAM did not have access to any police report determining a suicide hypothesis, with the only accessible report being the autopsy result.

Martínez stated that the autopsy report indicates injuries inconsistent with suicide. "En ningún momento hay una determinación previa de que haya sido un suicidio. El primer y único informe que existe es el del médico legista que se incorpora al expediente y que, con los argumentos técnicos, determina que la vida de Monika fue segada de manera violenta por terceros," she said. Martínez also stated that the scene was altered to suggest suicide and indicated femicide is another line of investigation given previous threats denounced by Silva Koniuszek.

Conflicting information emerged from Poland. Daniel Brodowski, spokesperson for the District Prosecutor's Office of Olszyn, stated that a preliminary autopsy report received by their office indicated the death resulted from deliberate action by third parties. Brodowski cited the report's conclusion as "fue el resultado de una acción deliberada de terceros." He added that Ecuadorian authorities committed to providing more documentation.

The European Union expressed concern over Silva Koniuszek's death, calling for a rapid, exhaustive, independent, and transparent investigation. The Embassy of Poland in Peru, accredited for Ecuador, is in contact with local authorities to clarify the circumstances and has taken measures to ensure the security of Silva Koniuszek's children. Her mother has traveled to Ecuador to facilitate the transfer of the minors. The Ecuadorian Prosecutor's Office maintains it is conducting a preliminary investigation and keeping details in reserve.